‘Terminator’ Tony Abbott: The ex-Australia PM set for top UK trade role

He spent several years studying for the priesthood and when he was a politician he focused on abortion and illegal migration by boat

Former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott (Chris Jackson/PA)

British-born and Australian-bred Tony Abbott had made waves in Australian politics long before becoming prime minister.

Mr Abbott, who is expected to be made joint president of the UK's relaunched Board of Trade, spent several years studying for the priesthood after finishing his education at Sydney and Oxford but admitted he was a “bit of a square peg in a round hole”.