Gay Tory MP Alan Duncan, criticised by members at local party meeting

By Benjamin Cohen • March 21, 2006 - 0:00

Alan Duncan came out as gay four years ago

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The Conservative party's first openly gay MP was the subject of an extraordinary argument at his local constituency annual meeting, where a member called on him to be replaced as local MP.

Alan Duncan, who is currently the shadow trade and industry secretary in David Cameron's shadow cabinet, came out as gay in 2002 after 10 years as an MP.

The Pandora gossip column in the Independent claims that the Rutland Melton MP was vocally attacked by a local party member who claimed that Mr Duncan had been wrong not to declare his sexuality earlier. The newspaper claims that the member has been reported to the national party board and may face disciplinary action.

"This idiot pitched up and started giving out these leaflets claiming Alan had been wrong to mislead the selection committee over his sexuality in the past," the column claims. "He then started harking for the selection process to be opened up again, to enable what he described as "real" candidates to stand against him. No one listened, and when he tried to speak to local members he ended up being shouted down on two separate occasions before finally having to give up."

Allan Dean, Mr Duncan's constituency agent has confirmed that the member has been reported to the party board. "Alan was re-selected unanimously before the last election," he said. "We are surprised this issue has been belatedly raised."

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