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| MP's rations remark 'offensive' | MP's rations remark 'offensive' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A Conservative MP who was secretly recorded saying politicians have had to "live on rations" after the expenses row has come in for renewed criticism. | A Conservative MP who was secretly recorded saying politicians have had to "live on rations" after the expenses row has come in for renewed criticism. |
| Ex-sleaze watchdog Sir Alistair Graham said shadow cabinet member Alan Duncan's comments could be offensive to people struggling in the recession. | Ex-sleaze watchdog Sir Alistair Graham said shadow cabinet member Alan Duncan's comments could be offensive to people struggling in the recession. |
| He added that it was "particularly worrying" from a potential minister. | He added that it was "particularly worrying" from a potential minister. |
| David Cameron is understood to have taken a "dim view" of the remarks, for which Mr Duncan has apologised. | David Cameron is understood to have taken a "dim view" of the remarks, for which Mr Duncan has apologised. |
| The secret film, made by Heydon Prowse of Don't Panic magazine, shows Mr Duncan using strong language when discussing reforms to the MPs' expenses system. | The secret film, made by Heydon Prowse of Don't Panic magazine, shows Mr Duncan using strong language when discussing reforms to the MPs' expenses system. |
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| Mr Duncan, shadow leader of the Commons, adds: "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." | Mr Duncan, shadow leader of the Commons, adds: "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." |
| Sir Alistair, the former head of the Committee for Standards in Public Life, told the Daily Telegraph: "It is particularly worrying that such a senior figure, in a party that is likely to form a government after the next election, would say something like this." | Sir Alistair, the former head of the Committee for Standards in Public Life, told the Daily Telegraph: "It is particularly worrying that such a senior figure, in a party that is likely to form a government after the next election, would say something like this." |
| He added that Mr Duncan had created the impression that MPs were not fully focused on reform. Mr Duncan said his comments about MPs being treated badly were meant as a joke, but he added: "The last thing people want to hear is an MP whingeing about his pay and conditions." | He added that Mr Duncan had created the impression that MPs were not fully focused on reform. Mr Duncan said his comments about MPs being treated badly were meant as a joke, but he added: "The last thing people want to hear is an MP whingeing about his pay and conditions." |
| He told the BBC: "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 the BBC: "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." |
| Mr Cameron's spokesman told the Telegraph: "David thought it was absolutely right that Alan should apologise." | Mr Cameron's spokesman told the Telegraph: "David thought it was absolutely right that Alan should apologise." |
| 'Charming and generous' | 'Charming and generous' |
| 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. | 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 campaigner said he had taken the secret camera along to the meeting in July in the hope of catching Mr Duncan out but he regretted getting him into trouble because he was a "very charming and generous guy". | The campaigner said he had taken the secret camera along to the meeting in July in the hope of catching Mr Duncan out but he regretted getting him into trouble because he was a "very charming and generous guy". |
| But Mr Prowse said he thought it was important to expose the attitude of politicians towards the expenses scandal. | But Mr Prowse said he thought it was important to expose the attitude of politicians towards the expenses scandal. |
| 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 allowances. | 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 allowances. |
| Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, currently standing in for Prime Minister Gordon Brown who is on holiday, told BBC News: "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." | Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, currently standing in for Prime Minister Gordon Brown who is on holiday, told BBC News: "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." |