THE TELEGRAPH: Alan Duncan, the Tory front bencher who complained that MPs were forced to live on “rations,” faces an election challenge from anti-sleaze campaigners Terry Waite and Martin Bell.
The former Beirut hostage and “the man in the white suit” have formed a political movement aimed at bringing down a number of MPs whose questionable expenses claims were disclosed by The Daily Telegraph.
Mr Bell, an ex-BBC journalist who became known for his sartorial taste after successfully challenging the Neil Hamilton, the Conservative MP at the centre of the “cash for questions” scandal, at the 1997 election, confirmed that Mr Duncan was in their sights.
Last week, the millionaire MP was forced to apologise after secret footage emerged of him complaining that MPs were treated like “****” and had been reduced to living on “rations” following the expenses scandal.
It seems that the somewhat stricter regime introduced following the expenses furore has not inhibited Mr Duncan’s lifestyle too significantly, however. He is currently said to be mid-way through a two week holiday in a luxury resort on the Indonesian island of Bali with his civil partner, James Dunseath, a press officer in the City.
The couple are thought to have flown business class with Singapore Airlines at a cost of around £3,000 each.
Mr Duncan, the shadow leader of the House who has represented the Leicestershire constituency of Rutland and Melton since 1992, is the main target of the “honest politics” alliance forged by Mr Bell and Mr Waite.
The ex-journalist said that up to 30 anti-sleaze candidates would be standing at the general election, with a shared cause of bringing "honesty" to the House of Commons.
“The common platform would be a return to honest politics,” he said. “That’s the thing that would unite everybody. Rutland and Melton has become vulnerable.” >>> Rosa Prince, Political Correspondent | Sunday, August 16, 2009
Related:
Alan Duncan: MPs Are Treated Like '****' and Have to Survive on Rations >>> Rosa Prince, Political Correspondent | Wednesday, August 12, 2009
MPs' Expenses: Alan Duncan Claimed £63,000 in Mortgage 'Flip' >>> Holly Watt | Friday, July 04, 2009
My big fat gay Tory wedding >>> Isabel Oakeshott | Sunday, March 09. 2009
