Sir Alan James Carter Duncan {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|KCMG}} (born 31 March 1957){{cite journal |doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.14283|title=Duncan, Rt Hon. Sir Alan (James Carter), (born 31 March 1957), PC 2010; MP (C) Rutland and Melton, since 1992; Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, since 2016|journal=Who's Who|year=2007}} is a British former politician who served as Minister of State for International Development from 2010 to 2014 and Minister of State for Europe and the Americas from 2016 to 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/minister-of-state--14|title=Minister of State for Europe and the Americas at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office|via= GOV.UK|publisher=Foreign & Commonwealth Office|accessdate=7 March 2022}} A member of the Conservative Party, he was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Rutland and Melton from 1992 to 2019.

He began his career in the oil industry with Royal Dutch Shell, and was first elected to the House of Commons in the 1992 general election. After gaining several minor positions in the government of John Major, he played a key role in William Hague's successful bid for the Conservative leadership in 1997. Duncan received several promotions to the Conservative front bench, and eventually joined the Shadow Cabinet after the 2005 general election. He stood for the Conservative leadership in 2005, but withdrew early on because of a lack of support. Eventual winner David Cameron appointed him Shadow Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in December 2005; the name of the department he shadowed was changed to Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform in July 2007.

Following the 2010 general election, the new Conservative Prime Minister Cameron appointed Duncan as Minister of State for International Development.{{cite web|url=http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/topstorynews/2010/05/her-majestys-government-49840 |title=Her Majesty's Government |publisher=Prime Minister's Office|access-date=15 May 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515034600/http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/topstorynews/2010/05/her-majestys-government-49840 |archivedate=15 May 2010 |url-status=dead|date=13 May 2010}} He left this post following the government reshuffle in July 2014,{{cite news|title=Rutland and Melton MP Alan Duncan receives a knighthood|url=http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Rutland-Melton-MP-Alan-Duncan-receives-knighthood/story-21741500-detail/story.html|work=Leicester Mercury|first= Dan J.|last=Martin|date=22 July 2014|publisher=Local World|access-date=22 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725095051/http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Rutland-Melton-MP-Alan-Duncan-receives-knighthood/story-21741500-detail/story.html|archive-date=25 July 2014|url-status=dead}} and was subsequently appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in September 2014, for services to international development and to UK–Middle East relations.{{London Gazette |issue=60994 |date=19 September 2014 |page=18358}} While on the backbenches, Duncan served on the Intelligence and Security Committee between 2015 and 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/sir-alan-duncan/343|title=Sir Alan Duncan|publisher=UK Parliament|accessdate=7 March 2022}}

After two years out of government, he returned to frontline politics when new Prime Minister Theresa May appointed him as Minister for Europe and the Americas, and effective deputy to then-Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, in July 2016.{{cite news|title=Theresa May appoints her own spy at the Foreign Office to keep a check on Boris Johnson as reshuffle is finalised|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/17/theresa-may-appoints-her-own-spy-at-the-foreign-office-to-keep-a/|first= Christopher |last=Hope|date=17 July 2016|work=The Telegraph|access-date=17 July 2016}}{{subscription required}} Duncan resigned as Minister of State on 22 July 2019 citing Johnson's election to the Tory leadership and, hence, the UK's premiership.{{cite news|title= Foreign Office minister Sir Alan Duncan resigns ahead of Boris Johnson's expected premiership |url=https://news.sky.com/story/foreign-office-minister-sir-alan-duncan-resigns-ahead-of-boris-johnsons-expected-premiership-11768145|publisher=Sky News|access-date=22 July 2019|first=Greg|last=Heffer|date=22 July 2019}}{{cite news |title=Tory leadership race: Alan Duncan resigns as minister |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49069880|date=22 July 2019|work=BBC News|access-date=22 July 2019}}

He became the first openly gay Conservative Member of Parliament, publicly coming out in 2002.

Early life

Duncan was born in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, the second son of James Grant Duncan, an RAF wing commander,{{London Gazette |issue=41589 |date=30 December 1958 |page=9 |supp=y}} and his wife Anne Duncan (née Carter), a teacher.{{cite web |url=http://knittingcircle.org.uk/alanduncan.html |work=Knitting Circle|title=Alan Duncan |access-date=2 June 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080507163254/http://knittingcircle.org.uk/alanduncan.html |archivedate=7 May 2008 |url-status=dead }} The family travelled much, following Duncan's father on NATO postings, including in Gibraltar, Italy, and Norway.{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Routledge |title=Comment: William's clumsy friend – Profile: Alan Duncan |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/comment-williams-clumsy-friendprofile-alan-duncan-1240267.html |work=The Independent |date=21 September 1997 |access-date=25 April 2009| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090331150128/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/comment-williams-clumsy-friendprofile-alan-duncan-1240267.html| archivedate= 31 March 2009 | url-status= live}}

Education

Duncan was educated at two independent schools: Beechwood Park School in Markyate, and Merchant Taylors' School in Northwood, at both of which he was 'Head Monitor' (head boy). He had two brothers, who also attended Beechwood Park School. Their family supported the Liberal Party, and Duncan ran (and lost) as a Liberal at a school mock election in 1970; two years later he joined the Young Conservatives.

He then attended St John's College, Oxford, where he coxed the college's first eight, and was elected President of the Oxford Union in 1979.{{cite web|url=http://www.conservatives.com/tile.do?def=people.person.page&PersonID=4664 |title=Alan Duncan MP |access-date=5 May 2008 |publisher=Conservative Party |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071206083030/http://www.conservatives.com/tile.do?def=people.person.page&PersonID=4664 |archivedate=6 December 2007 |url-status=dead }} Whilst there, he formed a friendship with Benazir Bhutto, and ran her successful campaign to become the President of the Oxford Union.{{cite news |first=Philip |last=Webster |title=Loyal colleagues are ready to reap the rewards |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article3101735.ece |work=The Times |date=28 December 2007 |access-date=5 May 2008 }}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} He gained a Kennedy Scholarship to study at Harvard University between 1981 and 1982.{{cite web |url=http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/news/p71007/ |title=Medical student wins Kennedy Scholarship |access-date=22 December 2007 |date=10 August 2007 |publisher=Imperial College London |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717220312/http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/news/p71007/ |archivedate=17 July 2011 }}

Business career

After graduating from Oxford, Duncan worked as a trader of oil and refined products, first with Royal Dutch Shell (1979–81){{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/2158632.stm|title=Profile: Alan Duncan|date=29 July 2002|work=BBC News|access-date=3 December 2019}} and then for Marc Rich from 1982 to 1988{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2001/may/04/conservatives.politicalnews|title=Shadow minister accused of supplying apartheid regime|last1=Pallister|first1=David|date=4 May 2001|work=The Guardian|access-date=3 December 2019|last2=Maguire|first2=Kevin|issn=0261-3077}} (Rich became a fugitive from justice in 1983). He worked for Rich in London and Singapore.{{cite news |title=Top Tory at centre of sanctions busting claims |first1=Kevin |last1=Maguire |last2=Pallister|first2= David |work=The Guardian |date=4 May 2001 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2001/may/04/conservatives.politicalnews1}} Duncan used the connections he had built up to be self-employed from 1988 to 1992, acting as a consultant and adviser to foreign governments on oil supplies, shipping and refining.

In 1989, Duncan set up the independent Harcourt Consultants, which advises on oil and gas matters. He made over £1 million after helping fill the need to supply oil to Pakistan after supplies from Kuwait had been disrupted in the Gulf War.

Political career

Duncan was an active member of the Battersea Conservative Association from 1979 until 1984, when he moved to live in Singapore, from which he returned in 1986. After Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher resigned in November 1990, he offered his home in Westminster as the headquarters of John Major's leadership campaign.

=Member of Parliament=

Duncan first stood for Parliament as a Conservative candidate in the 1987 general election, unsuccessfully contesting the safe Labour seat of Barnsley West and Penistone. For the 1992 general election he was selected as the Conservative candidate for Rutland and Melton, a safe Conservative seat, which he retained with a 59% share of the votes cast. In the Labour landslide of 1997, his proportion of the vote was reduced to 46% but increased at subsequent elections to a high of 62.8% in 2017.

From 1993 to 1995, Duncan was a member of the Social Security Select Committee. His first governmental position was as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister of Health, a position he obtained in December 1993. He resigned from the position within a month, after it emerged that he had used the Right to Buy programme to make profits on property deals.{{cite book |title=Ministers of the Crown |last=Brazier |first=Rodney |year=1997 |publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=0-19-825988-3 |page=112 }} It emerged that he had lent his elderly next-door neighbour money to buy his home under the Right to Buy legislation. The neighbour bought an 18th-century council house at a significant discount and sold it to Duncan just over three years later.{{cite news |title=Alan Duncan claimed thousands for gardening: MPs' expenses |first=Holly |last=Watt |work=The Telegraph |date=10 May 2009 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5304976/Alan-Duncan-claimed-thousands-for-gardening-MPs-expenses.html }} Gyles Brandreth describes this event in his diary: "little Alan Duncan has fallen on his sword. He did it swiftly and with good grace."{{cite book |title=Breaking the code: Westminster diaries May 1990 – May 1997 |last=Brandreth |first=Gyles |chapter=Saturday 8th January }}

After returning to the backbenches, he became Chairman of the Conservative Backbench Constitutional Affairs Committee. He returned to government in July 1995, when he was again appointed a Parliamentary Private Secretary, this time to the Chairman of the Conservative Party, Brian Mawhinney. In November 1995, Duncan performed a citizen's arrest on an Asylum Bill protester who threw paint and flour at Mawhinney on College Green.{{cite news|last1=Sylvester |first1=Rachel |last2=Copley |first2=Joy |title=Loyal colleagues are ready to reap the rewards |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/htmlContent.jhtml?html=/archive/1997/06/20/nboy220.html |work=The Telegraph |date=20 June 1997 |access-date=28 April 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506174051/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/htmlContent.jhtml?html=%2Farchive%2F1997%2F06%2F20%2Fnboy220.html |archivedate=6 May 2008 |url-status=dead }}

Duncan was involved in the 1997 leadership contest, being the right-hand man of William Hague, the eventual winner. In this capacity, he was called "the closest thing [the Conservatives] have to Peter Mandelson". Duncan and Hague had both been at Oxford, both been Presidents of the Oxford Union, and had been close friends since at least the early 1980s.

=Front-bench career=

As a reward for his loyalty to Hague during the leadership contest, in June 1997, Duncan was entrusted with the positions of Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party and Parliamentary Political Secretary to the Party Leader. He became Shadow Health Minister in June 1998.{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199798/cmwib/wb980606/shadow.htm|title=Opposition front bench team as at 5 June 1998|date=6 June 1998|work=House of Commons Weekly Information Bulletin|publisher=UK Parliament|access-date=25 September 2008}} A year later he was made Shadow Trade and Industry spokesman, and he was appointed a front-bench spokesman on Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in September 2001.

When Michael Howard became Conservative Party leader in November 2003, Duncan became Shadow Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs, but as Howard had significantly reduced the size of the Shadow Cabinet, Duncan was not promoted to the top table. This continued to be the case when he was moved to become Shadow Secretary of State for International Development in September 2004. However, following the 2005 general election, the Shadow Cabinet was expanded to its original size once more, and Duncan joined it as Shadow Secretary of State for Transport.{{cite web|url=https://www.rutlandmeltonconservatives.org/alan-duncan|title=Alan Duncan|publisher=Rutland & Melton Conservative Party|access-date=3 December 2019|archive-date=3 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203113845/https://www.rutlandmeltonconservatives.org/alan-duncan|url-status=dead}}

He held this position for just seven months, becoming Shadow Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 7 December 2005, after David Cameron's election to the party leadership the previous day. On 2 July 2007, he was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, as new prime minister Gordon Brown had abolished the Department of Trade and Industry the previous week, replacing it with the aforementioned new department. In January 2009, Duncan became Shadow Leader of the House of Commons.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/sep/08/george-young-shadow-leader-commons|title=George Young replaces Alan Duncan as shadow Commons leader|last1=Watt|first1=Nicholas|date=8 September 2009|work=The Guardian|access-date=3 December 2019|last2=Sparrow|first2=Andrew|issn=0261-3077}}

=Failed leadership bid=

Before the 2005 general election, he was rumoured to be planning a leadership campaign in the event that then-leader Michael Howard stepped down after a (then-likely and later actual) election defeat.{{cite news |first=Michael |last=White |title=Duncan willing to run for Tory leadership |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2004/dec/21/conservatives.politics |work=The Guardian |date=21 December 2004 |access-date=5 May 2008| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080510192555/http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2004/dec/21/conservatives.politics| archivedate= 10 May 2008 | url-status= live}} On 10 June 2005, Duncan publicly declared his intention of standing in the 2005 leadership election.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4078868.stm |title=Duncan to run for Tory leadership |access-date=20 November 2007 |date=10 June 2005 |work=BBC News }} However, on 18 July 2005, he withdrew from the race, admitting in The Guardian that his withdrawal was due to a lack of 'active lieutenants', and urged the party to abandon those that he dubbed the 'Tory Taliban':

{{blockquote|Our Achilles heel, though, has been our social attitude. Censorious judgmentalism from the moralising wing, which treats half our own countrymen as enemies, must be rooted out. We should take J. S. Mill as our lodestar, and allow people to live as they choose until they actually harm someone. If the Tory Taliban can't get that, they'll condemn us all to oblivion. Thank heavens for the new intake of MPs who do.{{cite news |url=http://politics.guardian.co.uk/conservatives/comment/0,9236,1530823,00.html |title=The Tory Taliban must be rooted out |access-date=20 November 2007 |date=18 July 2005 |work=The Guardian| first=Alan | last=Duncan}}}}

=MPs' expenses 2009=

File:Conservative MP Alan Duncan in Westminster.jpg

On 15 May 2009, the satirical BBC programme Have I Got News for You showed footage of Duncan's previous appearance on the show in which he boasted about his second home allowance, denied that he should pay any of the money back and stated it was "a great system". The show then cut to footage of David Cameron announcing that Duncan would return money to the fees office, followed by Duncan's personal apology, in which he called for the system to be changed.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8243935.stm|title=Duncan: 'It's a great system'|work=BBC News|date=8 September 2009|access-date=20 February 2017}}

On 14 August, Duncan said (whilst being filmed without his knowledge by Don't Panic), that MPs, who were at the time paid around £64,000 a year, were having "to live on rations and are treated like shit.{{cite web|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/fourth-estate/2009/11/expenses-germany-absurd|title=Tory MP: Politicians treated like Jews in Nazi Germany – The most absurd statement on the expenses scandal?|date=2 November 2009|work=The New Statesman|first=George|last=Eaton|access-date=7 March 2022}} I spend my money on my garden and claim a tiny fraction on what is proper. And I could claim the whole lot, but I don't."{{cite news |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8196949.stm |title=Duncan sorry for MP pay 'whinge' |date=12 August 2009}} These remarks attracted the attention of the press, and were criticised by commentators from all sides.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-cruel-and-out-of-control-the-new-face-of-debt-collecting-1771885.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090816203111/http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-cruel-and-out-of-control-the-new-face-of-debt-collecting-1771885.html |archive-date=16 August 2009 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|title=Cruel and out of control: the new face of debt collecting|first=Johann |last=Hari|work=The Independent|date=14 August 2009|access-date=15 August 2009 | location=London}} Duncan apologised once more, and Cameron, though critical of Duncan's comments, denied that he would sack him from the Shadow Cabinet.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8198700.stm|title=I won't sack Duncan, says Cameron |work=BBC News|date=13 August 2009|access-date=15 August 2009}} Despite these assurances, on 7 September 2009, Duncan was "demoted" from the Shadow Cabinet, to become Shadow Minister for Prisons, after he and Cameron came to an agreement that his position was untenable.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8243026.stm |work=BBC News | title=Tory 'rations' MP Duncan demoted | date=7 September 2009 | access-date=23 April 2010}}

=Political funding=

The Rutland and Melton Constituency Association has received £12,166.66 in donations since 2006. Duncan has received corporate donations from The Biz Club (£6,000, 2006–09), Midland Software Holdings (£8,000, 2007–09), and ABM Holdings (£1,500, 2009). Duncan has also had tens of thousands of pounds from private individual donors.{{cite web|url=http://www.searchthemoney.com/profile/179|title=Search the Money|access-date=7 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107175448/http://www.searchthemoney.com/profile/179|archive-date=7 January 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7181255.stm|title=In quotes: Nuclear plans|date=10 January 2008|work=BBC News|access-date=13 August 2016}}

=WikiLeaks 2010=

According to a US diplomatic cable published by WikiLeaks and reported on by The Daily Telegraph{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/8166468/WikiLeaks-US-spies-on-Alan-Duncan.html | work=The Telegraph | first=Harry | last=Wallop | title=WikiLeaks: US spies on Alan Duncan | date=29 November 2010}} and The Guardian,{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/nov/28/us-spies-dossier-alan-duncan | work=The Guardian | first=David | last=Leigh | title=Spies drew up dossier on Alan Duncan | date=28 November 2010}} US Intelligence drew up a dossier on several members of the Conservative party, including Duncan, in order to assess the possible policies of a future Conservative government. US intelligence compiled details of Duncan's political associations with leading Conservatives, including William Hague. The cable called for further intelligence of "Duncan's relationship with Conservative party leader David Cameron and William Hague", and asked: "What role would Duncan play if the Conservatives form a government? What are Duncan's political ambitions?"

=Nuclear power=

As shadow business secretary in 2008, Duncan stated, referring to the Hinkley Point C project, that "on no account should there be any kind of subsidy for nuclear power."

=Middle East=

In August 2011, Duncan found himself under pressure to remove a video of himself accusing Israel of a "land grab" in the occupied territories.{{cite web|url=http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/53621/government-chaos-over-alan-duncans-land-grab-video|title=Government in chaos over Alan Duncan's 'land grab' video|accessdate=}} In an October 2014 speech to the Royal United Services Institute, Duncan said: "Indeed just as we rightly judge someone as unfit for public office if they refuse to recognise Israel, so we should shun anyone who refuses to recognise settlements are illegal. No settlement endorsers should be regarded as fit to stand for public office, remain a member of a mainstream political party or sit in a parliament. How can we accept lawmakers in our country or any other country when they support lawbreakers in another?"{{cite news |last=Wintour |first=Patrick|title=Why might an Israeli diplomat believe Alan Duncan needs 'taking down'? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jan/08/why-might-an-israeli-diplomat-believe-alan-duncan-needs-taking-down |work=The Guardian|date=8 January 2017|access-date=12 January 2017}} In a BBC Radio interview linked to that speech and another given during a House of Commons debate on Palestinian statehood he said: "All know that the United States is in hock to a very powerful financial lobby which dominates its politics." Commenting on Duncan's statements, a spokesman for the Board of Deputies of British Jews called him "breathtakingly one-sided".{{cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/International/British-MP-condemned-for-anti-Israel-comments-379246 |title=British MP condemned for anti-Israel comments|work= Jerusalem Post |date=19 October 2014|access-date=20 October 2014}}

File:KCMG Jpegfile.jpg]]

=Libyan oil cell=

In August 2011, it was reported that Duncan had played an instrumental role in blocking fuel supplies to Tripoli, Libya, during the Libyan conflict.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14740054|title=Landale Online: How UK unit starved Gaddafi of fuel|first=James|last=Landale|date=31 August 2011|work=BBC News}} In April 2011, the former oil trader convinced the UK prime minister to establish the so-called 'Libyan oil cell', which was run out of the Foreign Office.

The cell advised NATO to blockade the port of Zawiya to stifle Gaddafi's war effort. They also helped identify other passages the smugglers were using to get fuel into Libya via Tunisia and Algeria.

London-based oil traders were encouraged to sell fuel to rebels in Benghazi,{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/sep/01/libya-alan-duncan-links-oil-cell |title=Government admits Alan Duncan's links to company in 'Libyan oil cell' |last=Curtis |first=Polly |date=1 September 2011 |website=The Guardian |access-date=24 February 2021}} with communication being established between traders and the rebels to route the fuel.

One Whitehall source commented: 'The energy noose tightened around Tripoli's neck. It was much more effective and easier to repair than bombs. It is like taking the key of the car away. You can't move. The great thing is you can switch it all back on again if Gaddafi goes. It is not the same as if you have bombed the whole city to bits.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/sep/01/cameron-oil-gaddafi-frontline-forces|title=How Cameron's secret unit choked off oil supplies to Gaddafi's frontline forces|first1=Polly|last1=Curtis|first2=Nicholas|last2=Watt|date=31 August 2011|work=The Guardian}}

=Appointment to Privy Council=

On 28 May 2010, he was appointed to the Privy Council, upon the formation of the Coalition government.{{cite web|url=https://www.number10.gov.uk/news/peerages-honours-and-appointments/|title=Peerages, honours and appointments|accessdate=7 March 2022|publisher=Prime Minister's Office|date=28 May 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/privy-council/privy-council-members/privy-counsellors/#d|title=Privy Counsellors – Privy Council|access-date=10 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111221115352/http://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/privy-council/privy-council-members/privy-counsellors/#d|archive-date=21 December 2011|url-status=dead}} He was sworn into the Privy Council on 9 June 2010 at Buckingham Palace.{{cite web |url=https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/LIST-9-June-2010.pdf |title=ORDERS APPROVED AT THE PRIVY COUNCIL HELD BY THE QUEEN AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE ON 9TH JUNE 2010 |last=Simpson |first=Judith |date=9 June 2010 |website=The Privy Council Office |access-date=4 April 2024 }} This entitled him to the Honorific Prefix "The Right Honourable" for life.

=Comments by Israeli embassy official=

In January 2017, Al Jazeera aired a series entitled The Lobby.[https://www.aljazeera.com/investigations/thelobby/ The Lobby] AlJazeera. The last episode showed Shai Masot, the political officer at the Israeli embassy in London, proposing an attempt to "take down" British "pro-Palestinian" politicians, including Duncan.{{cite news|url=https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0033/106989/issue-338-broadcast-on-demand-bulletin.pdf|title=Broadcast and On-Demand Bulletin: The Lobby, Al Jazeera English, 11 to 14 January 2017|publisher= Ofcom|date=9 October 2017|pages=20–28|accessdate=7 March 2022}} The leader of the opposition Jeremy Corbyn wrote an open letter to Theresa May objecting to what he called an "improper interference in this country's democratic process" and urging the prime minister to launch an inquiry on the basis that "[t]his is clearly a national security issue".{{cite news|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/corbyn-calls-for-investigation-into-interference-by-israeli-officials-1.430645|title=Corbyn calls on Theresa May to investigate "interference" by Israeli officials|work=The Jewish Chronicle|date=15 January 2017|access-date=18 March 2018}} The Israeli ambassador Mark Regev apologised to Duncan for the "completely unacceptable" comments made in the video.{{cite news|last=Dearden|first=Lizzie|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/israeli-embassy-official-take-down-pro-palestinian-mps-video-sir-alan-duncan-shai-masot-maria-a7515511.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110191925/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/israeli-embassy-official-take-down-pro-palestinian-mps-video-sir-alan-duncan-shai-masot-maria-a7515511.html |archive-date=10 January 2017 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|title=Israeli embassy official filmed discussing how to 'take down' Sir Alan Duncan and other pro-Palestinian MPs|work=The Independent|date=8 January 2017|access-date=7 February 2018}} A Foreign Office spokesman, effectively rejecting Corbyn's comments, said it "is clear these comments do not reflect the views of the embassy or government of Israel".{{cite news|last=Dysch|first=Marcus|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/may-rejects-corbyn-call-for-inquiry-1.430788|title=Theresa May rejects Jeremy Corbyn's call for probe into Israeli influence in UK politics|work=The Jewish Chronicle|date=17 January 2017|access-date=18 March 2018}}{{cite news|last1=Cobain|first1=Ian|last2= MacAskill|first2=Ewen|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jan/07/israeli-diplomat-shai-masot-caught-on-camera-plotting-to-take-down-uk-mps|title=Israeli diplomat caught on camera plotting to 'take down' UK MPs|work=The Observer|date=7 January 2017|access-date=7 February 2018}} Masot resigned shortly after the recordings were made public.{{cite news|last=Dearden|first=Lizzie|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/israel-embassy-scandal-shai-masot-resigns-threat-take-down-mps-labour-nus-critical-pro-palestinian-a7524446.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113163758/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/israel-embassy-scandal-shai-masot-resigns-threat-take-down-mps-labour-nus-critical-pro-palestinian-a7524446.html |archive-date=13 January 2017 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|title=Israel embassy scandal: Shai Masot resigns after discussing 'take down' of pro-Palestinian British politicians|work=The Independent|date=12 January 2017|access-date=7 February 2018}} Pro-Israel British activists and a former Israel embassy employee complained to Ofcom about The Lobby, but Ofcom dismissed all charges.{{cite web|first1=Aída|last1=Chávez|first2=Ryan|last2=Grim|accessdate=7 March 2022|url=https://theintercept.com/2017/10/09/an-al-jazeera-reporter-went-undercover-with-the-pro-israel-lobby-in-washington/|title=An Al Jazeera reporter went undercover with the pro-Israel lobby in Washington|work=The Intercept|date=9 October 2017}}

Political views

File:Alanduncanmp.jpg

Duncan was described by the BBC in 2002 as a right-wing libertarian.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2163663.stm |title=Alan Duncan |access-date=20 November 2007 |date=16 October 2002 |work=BBC News | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20071215170526/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2163663.stm| archivedate= 15 December 2007 | url-status= live}} The Guardian has described him in 'economically libertarian' (2008){{cite news|url=http://politics.guardian.co.uk/person/0,,-1492,00.html |title=Duncan, Alan |access-date=5 May 2008 |work=Guardian Unlimited|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511230358/http://politics.guardian.co.uk/person/0%2C%2C-1492%2C00.html |archivedate=11 May 2008 |url-status=live }} and 'socially libertarian' (2004). The LGBT journal PinkNews called him in 2005 the 'liberal, urbane face of the Conservative Party', naming him as one of the then '50 most powerful LGBT people in British politics'.{{cite web |url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-6416.html |title=The 50 most powerful LGBT people in British politics |access-date=5 May 2008 |date=27 December 2007 |work=Pink News | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080509141813/http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-6416.html| archivedate= 9 May 2008 | url-status= live}} He was described by The Daily Telegraph in 2008 as a "moderniser".{{cite news|first=Neil |last=Tweedie |title=Alan Duncan: 'I'm an MP who happens to be gay' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/portal/main.jhtml?xml=/portal/2008/03/05/ftduncan105.xml |work=The Telegraph |date=5 March 2008 |access-date=5 May 2008|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080508234925/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/portal/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fportal%2F2008%2F03%2F05%2Fftduncan105.xml |archivedate=8 May 2008 |url-status=dead }}

One of the chapters in his book Saturn's Children is devoted to an explanation of his support for the legalisation of all drugs. This chapter was removed when the paperback edition was published to prevent embarrassment to the party leadership;{{cite news |first=Michael |last=White|title=Tory candidate takes the Michael |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/jun/24/conservatives.politics |work=The Guardian |date=24 June 2005 |access-date=5 May 2008| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080510215259/http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2005/jun/24/conservatives.politics| archivedate= 10 May 2008 | url-status= live}} however, Duncan had, at one time, posted the chapter on his website, "for the benefit of the enquiring student".{{cite web |url=http://www.alanduncan.org.uk/media/saturnschildrenchapter.htm |title=The Legalisation of Drugs – a chapter from Saturn's Children|work=Alan Duncan's website|access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010419170147/http://www.alanduncan.org.uk/media/saturnschildrenchapter.htm |archive-date=19 April 2001 |url-status=dead}} Duncan believes in minimising the size of government, and in Saturn's Children advocated limiting government responsibility to essential services such as defence, policing and health.

In 2002, Duncan was described by the BBC as a "staunch" Eurosceptic. However, he declared for the 'Remain' camp in the run-up to the UK's referendum on EU membership.{{cite news |last=Duncan |first=Alan |title=Why this lifelong Eurosceptic is now voting to stay in

|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/eureferendum/12202394/Why-this-lifelong-Eurosceptic-is-now-voting-to-stay-in.html |work=The Telegraph|access-date=24 March 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Goodenough |first1=Tom |title=Which Tory MPs back Brexit, who doesn't and who is still on the fence? |url=http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/02/which-tory-mps-back-brexit-who-doesnt-and-who-is-still-on-the-fence/ |access-date=11 October 2016 |work=The Spectator |location=London |date=16 February 2016 |archive-date=22 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022111657/http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/02/which-tory-mps-back-brexit-who-doesnt-and-who-is-still-on-the-fence/ |url-status=dead }} On 2 October 2017, Duncan spoke at the Chicago Council of Global Affairs. In his speech he attributed Britain's majority vote to leave the EU to a "blue-collar tantrum against immigration".{{cite news|title=Alan Duncan says migration 'tantrum' led to Brexit|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41492353|access-date=4 October 2017|work=BBC News|date=3 October 2017}}

{{blockquote|The manner in which the campaign was fought stirred up a lot of sentiment amongst people that are not habitual voters, particularly on the issue of immigration. You could feel in the last 10 days of the campaign, traditional blue-collar urban Labour opinion going viral for leave. They were stirred up by an image of immigration, which made them angry and throw a bit of a tantrum. That was part of the chemistry that explains the result.}}

He is on the council of the Conservative Way Forward (CWF) group. He is one of the leading British members of Le Cercle, a secretive foreign policy discussion forum.{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Blackhurst |title=Aitken dropped by the Right's secret club |work=The Independent |date=29 June 1997 }} In contrast to most members of both CWF and Le Cercle, who hold pro-Republican Atlanticist views, he actively supported John Kerry in the US 2004 presidential election.{{cite news |first=Nicholas |last=Watt |title=Tory oil tycoon who won't be backing Bush |url= https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2004/oct/30/uselections2004.conservatives |work=The Guardian |date=30 October 2004 |access-date=5 May 2008 | location=London| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080511170611/http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2004/oct/30/uselections2004.conservatives| archivedate= 11 May 2008 | url-status= live}} This surprised some, but Duncan is a friend of Kerry, having met him while at Harvard.

Following the release of the Panama Papers, which contained revelations about David Cameron's income from overseas funds set up by his father, Duncan defended the Prime Minister. He urged Cameron's critics, especially MPs, to "admit that their real point is that they hate anyone who has got a hint of wealth in them" from whose viewpoint it followed that "we risk seeing a House of Commons which is stuffed full of low-achievers".{{cite news |last=Payton |first=Matt |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/panama-papers-sir-alan-duncan-mp-speaking-in-defence-of-david-cameron-critcised-for-decrying-low-a6979826.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412200228/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/panama-papers-sir-alan-duncan-mp-speaking-in-defence-of-david-cameron-critcised-for-decrying-low-a6979826.html |archive-date=12 April 2016 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |title=Panama papers: Sir Alan Duncan MP says critics of David Cameron are low-achievers who hate the rich |work=The Independent |location= London |date=12 April 2016 |access-date=12 April 2016}} Michael Deacon wrote in The Daily Telegraph: "There are two inferences to draw from Sir Alan's outburst. One is that he thinks the Commons should only be 'stuffed with' the rich. The second is that he thinks the vast majority of his constituents, not being rich, are 'low-achievers'. Probably not a view to advertise in his next election leaflet".{{cite news |last=Deacon |first=Michael |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/11/if-you-thought-david-cameron-made-a-fool-of-himself-over-tax-the/ |title=If you thought David Cameron made a fool of himself over tax... these MPs are even worse |work=The Telegraph |date=12 April 2016 |access-date=12 April 2016}}

During the Gaza war, Duncan criticised Conservative Friends of Israel. Speaking on LBC in April 2024, he said that they had "been doing the bidding of Netanyahu, bypassing all proper processes of government to exercise undue influence at the top of government." Duncan added, "What you have is a lot of people now sitting around Rishi Sunak who are giving him appalling advice. Let's start with the head of CFI, who has been for many years Lord Polak. In my view, I think he should be removed from the Lords because he is exercising the interests of another country, not that of the parliament in which he sits, joined, I have to say, by Lord Pickles. They're the sort of the Laurel and Hardy who should be pushed out together." Polak, CFI's honorary president, is Jewish, while Pickles, the group's parliamentary chair, is not Jewish. The Jewish Leadership Council accused Duncan of sharing "antisemitic tropes", and the Board of Deputies of British Jews labelled his comments "disgraceful". The Conservative Party consequently began investigating him.{{Cite web |last=Prinsley |first=Jane |title=Tories investigate party veteran who called for pro-Israel politicians to be 'flushed out' of government |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/tories-investigate-party-veteran-who-called-for-pro-israel-politicians-to-be-flushed-out-of-government-r8ree7lk |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=The JC |language=en}} On 16 July 2024, he was cleared of wrongdoing following an internal investigation. The Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) investigation, which Duncan termed a "McCarthyite witch-hunt", found his comments were within political debate and not anti-semitic.{{cite news|title=Ex-Foreign Minister fully cleared of wrongdoing following Conservative Party antisemitism investigation |date=16 July 2024 |url=https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/ex-foreign-minister-fully-cleared-wrongdoing-following-conservative |access-date=17 July 2024}}

Personal life

Duncan was the first sitting Conservative MP voluntarily to acknowledge that he is gay;{{cite news |url=http://politics.guardian.co.uk/conservatives/story/0,9061,765023,00.html |title=Gay Tory frontbencher comes out |access-date=20 November 2007 |date=29 July 2002 |work=The Guardian}} he did this in an interview with The Times on 29 July 2002, although he has said that this came as no surprise to friends. Indeed, in an editorial published on the news of Duncan's coming out, The Daily Telegraph reported, "The news that Alan Duncan is gay will come as a surprise only to those who have never met him. The bantam Tory frontbencher can hardly be accused of having hidden his homosexuality."{{cite news |title=Openly Tory |work=The Telegraph|date=30 July 2002 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/telegraph-view/3579798/Openly-Tory.html| access-date=23 April 2010}}

On 3 March 2008, it was announced in the Court & Social page of The Daily Telegraph that Duncan would be entering into a civil partnership with his partner James Dunseath,{{cite news|first=Andrew |last=Pierce |title=Tory MP Alan Duncan to enter civil partnership |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/03/03/ntory103.xml |work=The Telegraph |date=4 March 2008 |access-date=28 April 2008|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303230346/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fnews%2F2008%2F03%2F03%2Fntory103.xml |archivedate=3 March 2008 |url-status=dead }} which would make him the first member of either the Cabinet or the Shadow Cabinet to enter into a civil partnership.{{cite news |first=Tony |last=Grew |title=Civil partnership for senior Tory |url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-7009.html |work=Pink News |date=3 March 2008 |access-date=28 April 2008 | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080410175013/http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-7009.html| archivedate= 10 April 2008 | url-status= live}} The two were joined as civil partners on 24 July 2008 at Merchant Taylors' Hall in the City of London.{{cite news |first=Lucy |last=Cockcroft |title=Alan Duncan becomes first Tory MP to seal civil partnership |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/conservative/2461102/Alan-Duncan-becomes-first-Tory-MP-to-seal-civil-partnership.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130421085115/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/conservative/2461102/Alan-Duncan-becomes-first-Tory-MP-to-seal-civil-partnership.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 April 2013 |work=The Telegraph |date=26 July 2008 |accessdate=7 March 2022}}

Duncan had a following in the gay community and was active in speaking up for gay rights. He was responsible for formulating the Conservatives' policy response to the introduction of civil partnership legislation in 2004, which he considered his proudest achievement of the Parliament between 2001 and 2005.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/apr/06/alanduncan |title=Alan Duncan |access-date=5 May 2008 |date=6 April 2005 |work=Guardian Unlimited|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080508025434/http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2005/apr/06/alanduncan| archivedate= 8 May 2008 | url-status= live}} He was among those who rebelled against his party by voting for an equal age of consent between heterosexuals and homosexuals on numerous occasions between 1998 and 2000.{{cite web|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/10179/alan_duncan/rutland_and_melton/divisions?policy=826|title=Alan Duncan MP, Rutland and Melton|website=TheyWorkForYou}} He voted against same-sex adoption in 2001.{{cite web|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/divisions/pw-2001-10-29-45-commons/mp/10179|title=Adoption and Children Bill (Programme) – Consideration and Third Reading: Recent Votes|website=TheyWorkForYou}}

Works and appearances

=Books=

Duncan is the author of three published nonfiction books:

{{cite book

|author=

|date=1993

|title=An End to Illusions

|location=London

|publisher=Demos

|isbn=1-898309-05-1

|url=http://www.demos.co.uk/files/anendtoillusions.pdf

}} (economics)

{{cite book

|title=Saturn's Children: How the State Devours Liberty, Prosperity and Virtue

|author1=Duncan

|author2=Dominic Hobson

|date=July 1995

|location=London

|publisher=Sinclair-Stevenson

|isbn=1-85619-605-4

|ref=none

}} (political science)

{{cite book

|author=

|date=15 April 2021

|title=In the Thick of It: The Private Diaries of a Minister

|location=London

|publisher=HarperCollins

|isbn=978-0-008-42226-4

}} (political memoir of 2016–2020)

His pamphlet An End to Illusions proposed an independent Bank of England, the break-up of clearing banks, reduction of implicit tax subsidies given to owner-occupiers, curtailment of pension fund tax privileges, and new forms of corporate ownership.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

Saturn's Children presents a detailed case regarding the history and consequences of government control over institutions and activities which were historically private, to the extent that many citizens assume that privately or communally developed municipal facilities and universities are creations of the state, and that prohibitions on drug use, sex, and personal defence have always existed.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

In the Thick of It is Duncan's diary from the eve of the Brexit referendum in 2016 to the UK's eventual exit from the EU. The book was serialised in the Daily Mail.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/apr/18/in-the-thick-of-it-by-alan-duncan-review-too-much-bile-not-enough-style|title=In the Thick of It by Alan Duncan review – too much bile, not enough style|first=Andrew|last=Rawnsley|date=18 April 2021|accessdate=3 February 2024|work=The Guardian}}

=Television and radio=

Duncan appeared four times on the satirical news quiz Have I Got News for You: first appearing on 28 October 2005,{{cite web |url=http://www.tv.com/have-i-got-news-for-you/chris-langham-ross-noble-alan-duncan/episode/552104/summary.html?tag=ep_list;title;2 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205091411/http://www.tv.com/have-i-got-news-for-you/chris-langham-ross-noble-alan-duncan/episode/552104/summary.html?tag=ep_list;title;2 |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 February 2013 |title=Chris Langham, Ross Noble, Alan Duncan |access-date=20 November 2007 |publisher=CBS Interactive|work=TV.com }}

then 20 October 2006,{{cite web |url=http://www.tv.com/have-i-got-news-for-you/alistair-mcgowan-fern-britton-alan-duncan/episode/910579/summary.html?tag=ep_list;title;1 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204224835/http://www.tv.com/have-i-got-news-for-you/alistair-mcgowan-fern-britton-alan-duncan/episode/910579/summary.html?tag=ep_list;title;1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 February 2013 |title=Alistair McGowan, Fern Britton, Alan Duncan |access-date=20 November 2007 |publisher=CBS Interactive|work=TV.com }}

and again on 2 May 2008{{cite web |url=http://www.tv.com/Have+I+Got+News+for+You/Brian+Blessed%2C+Marcus+Brigstocke%2C+Alan+Duncan+MP/episode/1197202/summary.html |title=Brian Blessed, Marcus Brigstocke, Alan Duncan MP |access-date=25 April 2009 |publisher=CBS Interactive |work=TV.com |archive-date=14 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514115531/http://www.tv.com/Have+I+Got+News+for+You/Brian+Blessed,+Marcus+Brigstocke,+Alan+Duncan+MP/episode/1197202/summary.html |url-status=dead }}

and 24 April 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/Have+I+Got+News+for+You/Frank+Skinner%2C+Alan+Duncan%2C+Katy+Brand/episode/1266940/summary.html |title=Frank Skinner, Alan Duncan, Katy Brand |access-date=25 April 2009 |publisher=CBS Interactive|work=TV.com |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090528123343/http://www.tv.com/Have%2BI%2BGot%2BNews%2Bfor%2BYou/Frank%2BSkinner%2C%2BAlan%2BDuncan%2C%2BKaty%2BBrand/episode/1266940/summary.html |archivedate=28 May 2009 |url-status=dead }}

His 2009 appearance featured a badly received ironic joke about murdering the latest Miss California, who stated that she opposed same-sex marriages.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/matthew-bell-the-iiosi-diary-1674262.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428045334/http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/matthew-bell-the-iiosi-diary-1674262.html |archive-date=28 April 2009 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |title=The IoS Diary |last=Bell |first=Matthew |work=The Independent on Sunday |date=26 April 2009}} He appeared on many occasions as a panellist on BBC TV's Question Time and BBC Radio 4's Any Questions?{{citation needed|date=November 2024}} In 2006, he took part in a documentary entitled How to beat Jeremy Paxman.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/the_westminster_hour/5093248.stm|title=The Westminster Hour – How To Beat ...|accessdate=7 March 2022|work=BBC News|date=26 June 2006}}

References

External links

{{Portal|Politics|United Kingdom|Business and economics|Conservatism|England|LGBTQ|Libertarianism}}

[http://www.alanduncan.org.uk/ Alan Duncan MP] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511143657/http://www.alanduncan.org.uk/ |date=11 May 2015 }} Official constituency website
[https://www.c-span.org/person/?1000801/AlanDuncan Alan Duncan Appearances] C-SPAN

{{UK MP links | parliament = alan-duncan/343 | hansard = mr-alan-duncan | hansardcurr = 3040 | guardian = 1492/alan-duncan | publicwhip = Alan_Duncan | theywork = alan_duncan | record = Alan-Duncan/Rutland-and-Melton/702 | bbc = 25590.stm | journalisted = alan-duncan }}

[https://web.archive.org/web/20110716062907/http://yourdemocracy.newstatesman.com/profile/alan-duncan Alan Duncan Profile] at New Statesman Your Democracy

{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament
for Rutland and Melton|years=1992–2019}}

{{s-ttl|title=Minister of State for International Development|years=2010–2014}}

{{s-ttl|title=Minister of State for Europe and the Americas|years=2016–2019}}

Category:1957 births

Category:Living people

Category:Alumni of St John's College, Oxford

Category:Conservative Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies

Category:British coxswains (rowing)

Category:English libertarians

Category:English people of Scottish descent

Category:English gay politicians

Category:Harvard University alumni