The National:

A SMILE can go a long way – but it’s important to know when it’s appropriate.

For instance, when being asked about your views on homophobia and misogyny, it’s probably best to hide your cheeser.

Human cyborg Matt Hancock hasn’t quite learned that lesson, despite having been panned for chuckling his way through an interview about coronavirus testing failures in May.

The Health Secretary has once again been pressed on the appointment of Tony Abbott as an official UK trade adviser.

The former Australian prime minister has a record of homophobia, as well as previously stating that climate change is “probably doing good”. He has also been condemned as a misogynist by ex-PM Julia Gillard.

Asked about this last week, Hancock – wearing an NHS pride badge – said these traits should be ignored because Abbott is an “expert on trade”.

READ MORE: Matt Hancock shrugs off anger over 'homophobe and misogynist' Tony Abbott

This morning, Kay Burley once again pressed the Tory minister on the issue – which Hancock seems to consider a big laugh.

He smirked and chuckled his way through the interview, evidently to the exasperation of the Sky News host.

A clearly amused Hancock said: “What I’d say is that you can disagree with people on things and I am nothing if not a supporter of everybody’s right to live their lives how they want to.

“Mr Abbott’s sister, who is herself a homosexual, has come out and said that those accusations are wrong, and I think we should listen to her words very carefully.”

He was then asked about Gillard’s condemnation of Abbott as a misogynist. Unusually, the Health Secretary wasn’t believed when he pled ignorance.

“What I’d say is I’m not that close to Australian politics,” he claimed, adding: “What I’d say is listening to someone’s sister is always a wise thing to do.”

WATCH: Matt Hancock laughs his way through interview on testing failures

A bemused Burley asked how Hancock knows then if Abbott is an expert on trade.

The Tory minister, again struggling to contain his hysterics, replied: “C’mon Kay, we know he has those responsibilities as prime minister of Australia, and I bow to nobody in my support for the values I hold dear. That we should support everybody to get the most out of life. And that is at the core of my political beliefs.

“And as you know I’m concentrating day and night on sorting this unprecedented coronavirus crisis.”

It’s another car crash interview for the Matt Hancock collection.