Alan Duncan MP apologises for 'rations' pay whine
Updated on 12 August 2009
A senior Conservative has apologised after he was caught on camera saying MPs have been forced to "live on rations" after the expenses scandal.
The Shadow Leader of the Commons Alan Duncan made the remarks while being secretly filmed by campaigner Heydon Prowse outside Parliament in June.
During the filming, he said: "No-one whose done anything in the outside world, or who is capable of doing such a thing, will ever come into this place ever again the way we're going.
"Basically it's being nationalised, we have to live on rations and they treats us like s**t."
Duncan claimed the remarks were "meant in jest" but said he could understand the public anger. He was secretly recorded by Prowse who had previously spawned an internet hit by diggiing a pound shape in Mr Duncan's garden at the height of the expenses scandal.
Mr Duncan has issued a statement which said: "The last thing people want to hear is an MP whingeing about his pay and conditions. It is a huge honour to be an MP and my remarks, although meant in jest, were completely uncalled for. I apologise unreservedly."
