Controversial former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is set to join the UK's Board of Trade, according to reports.
The Sun reported last month that Mr Abbott would be installed in the revamped trade body to help the UK agree trade deals after leaving the EU.
But concerns have been raised over comments made by the ex-PM about women, as well as his stance on gay marriage and climate change.
But who is Tony Abbott and why is he a frontrunner to join the Board of Trade?
Early life
Mr Abbott was born in London in 1957 to a British father and Australian mother. He renounced his British citizenship to run for Australian parliament in 1993.
The family moved to Sydney in 1960, where Mr Abbott grew up. He graduated with degrees in economics and law from the University of Sydney before moving to study at Oxford on a prestigious Rhodes scholarship.
Mr Abbott reportedly came to blows with some left-wing student groups in Oxford and marched in support of the Falklands War, according to Australian media.
He moved back to Australia after Oxford and studied to become a Catholic priest. He dropped out the next year, and would later say he "didn't have what it took to be an effective priest".
Early career
Mr Abbott served in a number of roles before launching his political career.
He was a journalist for The Bulletin and The Australian, as well as helping run a concrete factory.
He became a press officer for Australian Liberal leader John Hewson, before heading Australians for a Constitutional Monarchy, a group that campaigned against the country becoming a republic.
Parliamentary career
Mr Abbott was elected as the Liberal MP for Warringah, north of Sydney, in 1994.
He was a Cabinet minister from 1998-2007, serving first as Minister for Employment Services, then Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and Small Business, before becoming Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and finally Minister for Health and Ageing.
In 2007 the coalition between Mr Abbott's Liberals and the National party lost power to the Labor party. In opposition, Mr Abbott became Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
He spoke out against the Labor party Kevin Rudd's easing of rules on unsanctioned migrants arriving by sea. He said: "Kevin Rudd found a solution and has now created a problem."
Leader of the Opposition
Mr Abbott was elected leader of the Liberal party, a position he held until 2015.
In opposition he opposed the Labor party's proposed emissions trading scheme to reduce climate change, calling it "a great big tax on everything".
Mr Abbott missed a key vote on a A$42 billion stimulus package because he had fallen asleep after a heavy drinking session, the Australian Daily Telegraph reported. He denied that he had fallen asleep because of the drinks, but admitted having "maybe two" bottles of wine.
Prime Minister
He served as Prime Minister from 2013-2015 after leading the Liberal/National coalition to victory in the 2015 election.
In office, he set about attempting to "reduce red tape" and signed historic trade agreements with China, Japan and South Korea.
He also moved to repeal the a tax on carbon emissions and implemented a law that created a "zero tolerance" policy on unauthorised migration.
After two years of what the Economist called "mean-spirited" politics characterised by a series of "misjudgements", Mr Abbott was booted out of office in 2015 by Minister of Communications Malcolm Turnbull, after a leadership challenge.
Later career
Mr Abbott was re-elected to his Warringah seat in the 2016 election, but lost in 2019 against Zali Stegall, a former Olympic skier.
Why could he be appointed to the UK Board of Trade?
The Board of Trade will seek to "champion exports and inward and outward investment to deliver economic growth and prosperity".
Mr Abbott has reportedly been tapped for the job because of his record on agreeing trade deals as Australian Prime Minister and his support for Brexit.
He wrote in 2019: "Let me reassure anyone in Britain, anxious about the prospect of no deal, that Australia does one hundred billion dollars’ worth of trade with the EU every single year, on this very basis.”
Why are some people concerned about his possible appointment?
Mr Abbott's views on some social issues and climate change have caused offence in the past.
He opposed same-sex marriage before it was legalised and hit out at "moral bullying" from supporters of equal marriage in 2017.
And he was criticised in 2012 for wondering years earlier "if men are by physiology or temperament more adapted to exercise authority or to issue command,” leading to then-Labour Prime Minister Julia Gillard calling on him to resign as leader of the opposition.
He has also been criticised for statements on climate change, including suggesting to a London think tank audience that climate change is “probably doing good” and comparing climate change policies to “primitive people once killing goats to appease the volcano gods.”
Opposition politicians have slammed the proposed move.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said in an interview: “I have real concerns about Tony Abbott and I don’t think he’s the right person for the job. If I was prime minister I wouldn’t appoint him.”
But Government ministers have defended Mr Abbott.
International Trade Secretary Liz Truss, who is also the minister for women and equalities, defended Mr Abbott in an interview with ITV.
Asked whether she thought someone "who is widely viewed as sexist, homophobic and a climate change denier should be representing Britain around the world", she said: “He's a former Prime Minister of Australia he's done a excellent job on trade.
"And of course we're working very closely with the Australians on striking a new trade deal."
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has also spoken up for him.
He told Sky's Kay Burley: “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.”
