British government defies backlash to approve Tony Abbott as new trade adviser | BevanShields latikambourke
Abbott joins academics, business leaders and other political figures on the board, which is being revamped as Britain negotiates a raft of new global trade deals following its departure from the European Union.“It’s important for the wider world that Britain make the most of its post-Brexit opportunities and I am proud to be playing a part,” Abbott said.
Abbott's former chief of staff, Peta Credlin, and his sister, Christine Forster, defended the former prime minister on Friday, rubbishing claims from some journalists and British MPs that his previous statements disqualified him from the trade role."As a woman who has always been part of his life and who came out to him as gay in my early 40s, I know incontrovertibly that Tony is neither of those things," she said.
Secretary of State for International Trade Liz Truss said the board would talk with industry, communities, farmers and consumer groups in Britain "to ensure a range of voices are heard as the UK develops its independent trade policy". Actor Sir Ian McKellen led fresh calls on Friday for Johnson to walk away from appointing Abbott to the revamped trade board because of previous statements on abortion, climate change, gay people and women.released an open letter calling on Britain's arts community to support and sign.
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