Cameron rebukes ‘rations’ Duncan
Updated on 13 August 2009
Alan Duncan has been publically rebuked by the Tory leader after saying MPs were on rations following the expenses scandal. Cathy Newman reports.
Mr Cameron said the shadow Leader of the House made a "bad mistake".
But despite the tough action taken against other MPs embroiled in the expenses scandal, Mr Duncan has not been sacked from the shadow cabinet.
Meanwhile another Conservative MP Anne Main faces the threat of de-selection following allegations that she allowed her daughter to live rent free in a house paid for by the taxpayer.
Mr Duncan, a millionaire from his former career as an oil trader, swiftly issued a statement yesterday insisting his remarks had been made in jest.
But the Tory high command has indicated it takes a dim view of the incident.
On the video, posted on the internet, Mr Duncan is heard complaining that MPs were being "treated like s***" and that in future no capable person would want to enter parliament.
Mr Duncan's remarks are particularly embarrassing for the Conservatives because he leads the party on reform of the system of MPs' expenses and allowances.
The comments threaten to undermine the hardline stance taken by Mr Cameron, who has ordered his MPs to pay back thousands of pounds in expenses and barred some from standing again as Tory candidates.
Mr Duncan has to return £4,000 he claimed for gardening, having previously joked about the expenses scandal on the BBC's Have I Got News For You.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson accused him of obstructing government efforts at reform.
"He, as the shadow leader of the House, has not exactly been helpful - and I say this frankly about him - in bringing about the reforms that the government has tried to introduce," he told the BBC.
"I must say, Alan Duncan is very fond of speaking a good game publicly, but in private talking and acting quite differently. So I'm not surprised he has been found out."
Mr Duncan's comments were covertly filmed by campaigner Heydon Prowse of the Don't Panic magazine and website after he was invited to the Commons by the MP.
It followed a stunt he staged at Mr Duncan's home - planting a flower bed in the shape of a pound sign in protest at his claim for gardening.
In his statement, Mr Duncan 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 for them unreservedly."
