Tony Abbott becomes latest shot fired in the post-Brexit culture war

Emily Thornberry, the shadow trade secretary, said she was “disgusted that Boris Johnson thinks this offensive, leering, cantankerous, climate change-denying, Trump-worshipping misogynist is the right person to represent our country overseas”.

“He was ousted by his own colleagues after two years in power, and kicked out of Australian politics by his own constituents just last year,” she added. “They are the people who know him best, and they wanted rid of him – yet here we are, hiring him to negotiate our trade deals around the world. If it wasn’t so downright humiliating, it would be almost hilarious.”

The Board has existed in various guises since the early 17th century when it was established to advise on matters colonial, under its formal title “The Lords of the Committee of the Privy Council appointed for the consideration of all matters relating to Trade and Foreign Plantations”.

Whether as an adviser or co-president, Abbott would be unlikely to be directly involved with negotiating trade deals. His role may be more ambassadorial, promoting “Global Britain” internationally, or perhaps more regionally focused, chairing quarterly meetings of the Board of Trade’s advisers.

However, since its relaunch in 2017, the Board has met only seven times and not since May last year, in locations around the UK, most recently Belfast.

The DIT’s in-tray is certainly full. Talks with Canada are expected to start imminently, a deal with Japan – at least in principle – is Truss’s goal by the end of the month, and a second round of talks with Australia will start next month, while negotiations with the US and New Zealand rumble on.

Regardless of whether Abbott can help to push the deals over the line, the Government stirring rumours about his appointment is more likely for the benefit of onlookers at home.