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Duncan sorry for MP pay 'whinge' | Duncan sorry for MP pay 'whinge' |
(30 minutes later) | |
Shadow Commons leader Alan Duncan has apologised "unreservedly" after he was secretly filmed complaining about MPs' pay and expenses. | Shadow Commons leader Alan Duncan has apologised "unreservedly" after he was secretly filmed complaining about MPs' pay and expenses. |
The Tory MP was heard to say MPs were being treated badly after the expenses scandal and "have to live on rations". | The Tory MP was heard to say MPs were being treated badly after the expenses scandal and "have to live on rations". |
Mr Duncan said the remarks, made to campaigner Heydon Prowse of Don't Panic magazine, were meant as a joke. | Mr Duncan said the remarks, made to campaigner Heydon Prowse of Don't Panic magazine, were meant as a joke. |
But he added: "The last thing people want to hear is an MP whingeing about his pay and conditions." | But he added: "The last thing people want to hear is an MP whingeing about his pay and conditions." |
He told BBC News: "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." | He told BBC News: "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." |
The film shows Mr Duncan using strong language as he complains MPs have to "live on rations" and get treated badly - after being questioned about his expense claims. | The film shows Mr Duncan using strong language as he complains MPs have to "live on rations" and get treated badly - after being questioned about his expense claims. |
'Nationalised' | |
It appears to show Mr Duncan on the House of Commons terrace saying: "No one who's done anything in the outside world or is capable of doing such a thing will ever come into this place ever again the way we're going." | It appears to show Mr Duncan on the House of Commons terrace saying: "No one who's done anything in the outside world or is capable of doing such a thing will ever come into this place ever again the way we're going." |
He then appears to add: "Basically it has been nationalised. You have to live on rations and you are treated like shit." | He then appears to add: "Basically it has been nationalised. You have to live on rations and you are treated like shit." |
Mr Duncan is not in vision when he makes the remarks but his voice can clearly be heard. | |
He is also quizzed by Mr Prowse about his expenses claims for gardening. | |
The Rutland and Melton MP says: "I spend my money on my garden and claim a tiny fraction based on what is proper. And I could claim the whole bloody lot, but I don't." | |
He then adds: "About £2,000 a year and this was £1,000 a year on expenses, you know. It's just, I'm afraid the world has gone mad." | |
The film was posted on the Don't Panic website at the end of July. It was removed from the site but has now been republished. | |
Mr Prowse was invited to the Commons by Mr Duncan after he was filmed digging a pound-shaped hole in Mr Duncan's lawn in protest at his expenses claims for gardening. The video clip of Mr Duncan's lawn became a hit on YouTube. | Mr Prowse was invited to the Commons by Mr Duncan after he was filmed digging a pound-shaped hole in Mr Duncan's lawn in protest at his expenses claims for gardening. The video clip of Mr Duncan's lawn became a hit on YouTube. |
As shadow Commons leader, Mr Duncan has overseen much of the Conservative response to the expenses row and has said he would pay back more than £4,000 of expenses. | As shadow Commons leader, Mr Duncan has overseen much of the Conservative response to the expenses row and has said he would pay back more than £4,000 of expenses. |