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Sleazebuster replaces Alan Duncan over 'rations' outburst
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor08.09.09
Tory grandee Sir George Young was appointed to replace Alan Duncan today as the Conservatives moved to kill off the "rations" affair.
David Cameron brought the former minister back to the front line in a bid to curb the damage caused by Mr Duncan's complaint that MPs were now being forced to live in penury.
Sir George, who chaired the Commons Standards and Privileges Committee, was a serious figure with a record as a reformer, Mr Cameron said.
But Labour attacked the appointment, pointing out that the Etonian baronet had hired his family to work in the Commons and had voted against MPs being forced to publish all their expense receipts.
Mr Duncan was kicked out of the shadow Cabinet last night over his secretly filmed outburst that MPs were being "treated like sh*t" and being forced to "live on rations".
The Tory MP was ordered to apologise after the Standard exposed his remarks last month.
Mr Cameron said at the time that his colleague had made a "bad mistake" but added "we should leave it at that".
Today, Mr Cameron changed his stance and said he had decided to act after having had "time to reflect" on the need to reshape his top team and toughen the message on expenses.
Sir George, nicknamed the "bicycling baronet" during his tenure in John Major's government, is seen by Tory high command as the perfect antidote to Mr Duncan's image.
Mr Cameron today praised him as "one of the most respected Members of Parliament" who had a "long track record" of wanting to reform the Commons.
Mr Duncan was demoted to the post of shadow prisons minister.
Mr Duncan put out a statement that it was a "sensible decision".
"What matters most is winning the election and David Cameron becoming the Prime Minister," he said.
"I don't want to be a brake on that by making a difficult issue more problematic."
Environment campaigner Heydon Prowse, who filmed Mr Duncan making the comments, told the Standard: "This is a cosmetic change made by David Cameron.
"Of course Alan is not the person to lead expenses reform in the Tory party, but this has nothing to do with political integrity or Dave would have fired Alan ages ago."
Reader views (15)
More pathetic window dressing, Cameron should have sacked Duncan altogether. Then again he would have had to sack George Osborne and the other money grabbers as well.
- Harry H, London UK
Duncan has been on borrowed time since his appalling attempt to be funny on Have I Got News For You. It was typical of the man to instinctively try and keep abreast of his public school peers (Ian Hislop), even in front of the camera. "It's a very good system" - he said (refering to MPs' expenses), smirking.
- Milton Not Keynes, London
Neat - then when the UKIP win 'Speaker' Bercow's seat (and even if they don't), Young can be elected Speaker (as he should have been last time) and will follow-through on his cleanup. Here's hoping for a Parliament we can at least respect (but probably not with the MP-candidates currently available).
- Steve, London, England
Now it's time for Cameron to sack his core front bench house flippers - Osborne, Gove and Lansley - and stop taking slush funds from Lord Ashcroft of Belize.
Only then will he have even STARTED the job of cleaning up the mucky, corrupt mess that is the Tory party.
- Robert C, London UK
I think it's all rather silly.
It was a joke. Maybe not a very funny one, but still.
If we are coming to the stage, where politicians have to be 'on message' all the time, in case anyone is offended.
Cameron is a fool. His desperation to be elected at any cost is staggering.
- Charles, Kennington
I'm afraid Rueben, that this 'parasite' is a millionaire in his own right, and therefore far from knowing how Joe Public has to live every day. -But then, hasn't that always been the case with senior Tory politicians?
- Huggy, Cumbernauld Scotland
Good for a start! Now how about the real bad guys, the big time flippers and fiddlers, you know who I mean Dave! Sure you do! Here's a clue: Djanogly, Vaizey, Gove, Grayling, Dorries, Maude. If this is all the potential front bench talent you tories have I fear a thumping Labour return within 5 years.
- Steve, Brentford
MPs Ration Pack (temperate climate)
1 x Mortgage (Can be reheated and used twice)
1 x Pension (Large pot required)
1 x Family sustenance (do not use sparingly)
1 x Travel expenses (add 90p per mile for extra sitting)
1 x Hamper (taxpayer donation)
1 x Ancillary pack (Brown envelopes, jam etc)
- Wills, Southampton
Has this changed anything or just kicked the spin doctors into covert mode?
- Jane, Southeast
It is typical Cameron PR. He gets the headline Duncan sacked for letting the Party down on expenses, then gives Duncan a new job, thus keeping his internal club of millionaires intact. No wonder he fought so hard to keep Coulson as his Press Officer.
- S Sedgewick, Bexley England
Who in their right mind would vote for someone like Duncan as their local MP? He's completely out of touch with reality. Mind you, most of them are, that's the problem.
- Sue, Orpington, Kent
If David Cameron had been sincere in his determination to "clean up the expenses system" he would have sacked Duncan. Allowing him to remain in government as justice minister would allow him to continue claiming tax payers' money for his expenses. It is therefore the responsibility of the electorate to ensure that he is kicked out of office at the next election.
- R.F., Yorks, UK
His capacity to say the wrong thing and the right time, is astounding. Duncan's departure from the front rank of Tory politics is long over due. Perhaps he will see the benefits of remaining silent and be thought an idiot, etc etc.
- J R J, Glen Vine
Duncan will not be missed.
- Albert Hall, hove england
"You have to live on rations and are treated like s***".
NOW THIS PARASITE KNOWS HOW JOE PUBLIC HAS TO LIVE EVERY DAY.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR
