LONDON, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Australia's former prime
minister, Tony Abbott, declined on Tuesday to comment on reports
he is being lined up to become a trade envoy for Britain, a
possible appointment that has stirred criticism from opposition
lawmakers.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Policy Exchange think
tank, Abbott, a supporter of Brexit who was Australia's prime
minister between 2013-2015, was asked about reports he had been
appointed as a member of Britain's board of trade.
"Obviously I can't comment on any position which is not yet
official," he said.
"But certainly I think that it's in Britain's interest and
it's in Australia's interests that this particular free trade
deal be done as quickly as possible."
(Reporting by Elizabeth Piper and Estelle Shirbon; editing by
Kate Holton)