Minister dismisses London gig 'old gossip'

Attorney-General George Brandis insists speculation he is next in line to replace Alexander Downer as UK High Commissioner is simply old gossip.

Mr Downer is due to step down from the post this year and there are persistent reports a possible post-budget cabinet reshuffle could see Senator Brandis appointed to the job by June.

"That is a very, very old piece of gossip ... It's no more correct this year than it was when it was wrong last year," he told Sky News on Thursday.