Cabinet ministers defend Tony Abbott amid calls for him to be blocked as a trade adviser
Cabinet ministers have rallied behind former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott amid calls for his appointment as a Government trade adviser to be blocked.
Throwing his weight behind Mr Abbott on Thursday, the Health Secretary Matt Hancock insisted that as a former premier he had “enormous” experience and was an “expert in trade.”
Confronted about claims over Mr Abbott’s reported attitudes towards women and homosexuality, Mr Hancock added: "I bow to nobody in my support for everybody to love who they love, whoever that is.
"But we need to have the best experts in the world working in their field and the former prime minister of Australia has a huge amount of experience."
His comments were echoed by Liz Truss, the International Trade Secretary, who dismissed Labour’s opposition to Mr Abbott as “virtue signalling”, citing the party’s own lack of female leadership.
It comes days after Mr Abbott confirmed earlier this week that he was in talks with the Government about taking on a role in post-Brexit trade talks. He is expected to be handed a role as an adviser on the UK Board of Trade.
While Number 10 has insisted no decisions have been taken, other Whitehall sources claim that an informal offer has been made and an announcement confirming Mr Abbott’s appointment is expected shortly.
However, opposition parties have called for the appointment to be blocked, citing Mr Abbott’s previous comments on gay people, elderly coronavirus patients and women.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday morning, Sir Keir Starmer said he had had real concerns about Mr Abbott, adding that he was not “the right person for the job” and that if he was prime minister “I wouldn’t appoint him.”
His comments were echoed by Nicola Sturgeon, who said Mr Abbott was “a misogynist, he's a sexist, he's a climate change denier.”
However, hitting back during trade questions in the House of Commons, Ms Truss accused Labour of “hypocrisy”.
She highlighted comments made by John McDonnell, who in 2014 quoted someone saying they wanted to "lynch" Esther McVey, a former work and pensions secretary. Mr McDonnell has denied he was endorsing the comments.
Asked by Labour’s Ruth Cadbury why the UK could not find another trade expert who demonstrates “positive British values”, Ms Truss replied: “I think it is absolute hypocrisy to hear this type of argument from the Labour Party.
“Until recently they had a shadow chancellor...who called for the lynching of one of my female colleagues and never apologised for it.
“This is a party that has never elected a female leader, despite having the opportunity time and time again.
“The reality is they would rather virtue signal and indulge in tokenism rather than take real action to improve the lives of women.”
Her comments were echoed by trade minister Greg Hands, who told MPs: Personally I welcome the fact that a former prime minister of Australia is willing to help this country out.
“I think we should welcome his interest and the endeavours he has the potential to make for this country on all our behalfs.”
Asked about the row on Thursday, the Prime Minister’s spokesman said that “no decision” on the board's make-up had been made and declined to comment on the "political debate" surrounding Mr Abbott.
