AUSTRALIA'S controversial former Prime Minister will deliver the keynote address at this year's Yorkshire International Business Convention in June.

John Howard, pictured, who served a record four terms in office before losing to the Republicans last November, is the latest in a series of political leaders to come to Yorkshire to speak at the Convention since it was first launched 13 years ago, including Mikhail Gorbachev, Bill Clinton, George Bush Senior and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Mr Howard is no stranger to controversy having involved Australia in the war in Iraq, opposed the Kyoto Protocol on climate change and also held a referendum on whether the Queen should remain the head of State.

The convention is being held at the Yorkshire Events Centre in Harrogate on June 6. For ticket information, phone 0870 3301166.