MATT Hancock has shrugged off criticism over the UK Government’s plan to appoint former Australian PM Tony Abbott to a prominent trade role.

Speaking to Sky News, the Tory minister was asked why the Government is handing the “homophobe and misogynist” the joint-presidency on the UK Board of Trade.

Hancock replied simply: “He’s also an expert in trade.”

News of Abbott’s appointment to the position has been controversial due to previous comments he has made about women, the LGBT community and the coronavirus.

READ MORE: Ex-Australian PM Tony Abbott hits out at coronavirus 'hysteria' in rule axe call

This morning Kay Burley quoted Abbott’s comments to Hancock – including how he was threatened by homosexuality and that men are better suited to exercising authority than women.

But Hancock brushed off these comments, telling the programme: "As far as I understand it, the proposal is that Mr Abbott supports the UK on trade policy, which is an area which he has got a huge area of expertise.

"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 as the former prime minister of Australia, he has a huge amount of experience."

Burley asked: “Even if he’s a homophobic misogynist?”

Hancock then stumbled over his words before saying: “I don’t think that’s true.”

The journalist grew frustrated with Hancock, telling him she’d just informed him of his comments and adding: “He’s a homophobe and he’s a misogynist.”

The Tory minister replied simply: “Well he’s also an expert in trade.”

Burley was visible shocked by his response, asking Hancock: “So one plays off against the other?! Really? Is that really what you’re saying Health Secretary? Come on.”

Hancock denied this and pushed Abbott’s “expertise”. Burley asked if this was a reason to “forgive” the former PM’s comments about letting the elderly die of Covid-19 and women’s roles.

The Health Secretary didn’t know how to respond and instead told Sky: “You know I’m doing everything in my power to prevent a second wave and protect people from coronavirus,” to which Burley shook her head in frustration.

Yesterday Tory chairwoman of the Women and Equalities Committee, Caroline Nokes, said on Politics Live that Abbott should not be “anywhere near our Board of Trade”.

The Tory MP described the former PM as “awful” and added: “Is he the sort of man I want to be representing us globally? No.”

Abbott was famously confronted in the Australian parliament by his predecessor Julia Gillard. The former PM challenged him over his misogyny in a video which went viral online.