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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Duncan sorry for MP pay 'whinge' | Duncan sorry for MP pay 'whinge' |
| (10 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' | '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." |
| This was at the height of the scandal, but the attitude was that it was all a bit of a joke Heydon Prowse, editor Don't Panic | This was at the height of the scandal, but the attitude was that it was all a bit of a joke Heydon Prowse, editor Don't Panic |
| 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. | 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. | 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." | 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." | 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. | 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 the MP's lawn in protest at his expenses claims. 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 the MP's lawn in protest at his expenses claims. The video clip of Mr Duncan's lawn became a hit on YouTube. |
| Mandelson 'not surprised' | Mandelson 'not surprised' |
| Mr Prowse said he took the secret camera along to the meeting in July in the hope of catching Mr Duncan out. | Mr Prowse said he took the secret camera along to the meeting in July in the hope of catching Mr Duncan out. |
| He said: "What we captured was the general prevailing attitude in the Commons that he didn't take the whole expenses scandal particularly seriously. | He said: "What we captured was the general prevailing attitude in the Commons that he didn't take the whole expenses scandal particularly seriously. |
| "This was at the height of the scandal, but the attitude was that it was all a bit of a joke." | "This was at the height of the scandal, but the attitude was that it was all a bit of a joke." |
| 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. |
| Mr Duncan, a former oil trader, became an MP in 1992 and has held a string of front bench roles. | Mr Duncan, a former oil trader, became an MP in 1992 and has held a string of front bench roles. |
| The MP's remarks have been seized on by his political opponents. | The MP's remarks have been seized on by his political opponents. |
| Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, currently standing in for Prime Minister Gordon Brown who is on holiday, told the BBC News Channel: "Alan Duncan is very fond of speaking a good game publicly but in private talking and acting quite differently, so I am not surprised he has been found out." | |