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==Dubious Property Dealing==
==Dubious Property Dealing==
When he became an MP, on the second try, in 1992, by standing in a safe Tory seat, Duncan was quickly promoted to government office and as quickly demoted when it was revealed that had used irregular means to obtain discount purchase of a council house. He didn't live in one himself, but had found an elderly neighbor who did, and persuaded him to buy it, so that Duncan could re-purchase it soon afterwards, far below the market price. Duncan was made to resign as a minister, but not as an MP, and in the last two years of the John Major government, Duncan was again promoted to ministerial status.<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/conservative-mps-expenses/6017224/MPs-expenses-Alan-Duncan-from-millionaire-oil-trader-to-constant-gardener.html</ref>
When he became an MP, on the second try, in 1992, by standing in a safe Tory seat, Duncan was quickly promoted to government office and as quickly demoted when it was revealed that had used irregular means to obtain discount purchase of a council house. He didn't live in one himself, but had found an elderly neighbor who did, and persuaded him to buy it, so that Duncan could re-purchase it soon afterwards, far below the market price. Duncan was made to resign as a minister, but not as an MP, and in the last two years of the John Major government, Duncan was again promoted to ministerial status.<ref>https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/conservative-mps-expenses/6017224/MPs-expenses-Alan-Duncan-from-millionaire-oil-trader-to-constant-gardener.html</ref>
During the Blair years, he was a Shadow minister on the opposition benches.
During the Blair years, he was a Shadow minister on the opposition benches.
==Expenses Scandal==
==Expenses Scandal==
In 2009, when the Daily Telegraph started to expose MPs' expenses claims, Duncan was revealed as having claimed more than £5,000 to spend on gardening at his second home. He insisted he had done nothing wrong, and went on to boast noisily on TV about how he had personally profited from the system of free mortgage payments for a second home. He called it a "great system" and at first refused to pay any of the money back. David Cameron, embarrassed, ordered him to repay it, and to apologise for his effusions. The system itself has now been abolished. <ref> http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5736938/MPs-expenses-Alan-Duncan-claimed-63000-in-mortgage-flip.html</ref>
In 2009, when the Daily Telegraph started to expose MPs' expenses claims, Duncan was revealed as having claimed more than £5,000 to spend on gardening at his second home. He insisted he had done nothing wrong, and went on to boast noisily on TV about how he had personally profited from the system of free mortgage payments for a second home. He called it a "great system" and at first refused to pay any of the money back. David Cameron, embarrassed, ordered him to repay it, and to apologise for his effusions. The system itself has now been abolished. <ref> https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5736938/MPs-expenses-Alan-Duncan-claimed-63000-in-mortgage-flip.html</ref>
<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5304976/Alan-Duncan-claimed-thousands-for-gardening-MPs-expenses.html</ref>
<ref>https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5304976/Alan-Duncan-claimed-thousands-for-gardening-MPs-expenses.html</ref>
This happened at the height of the banking crisis, which caused great financial insecurity and hardship for the public, those "low-achievers" as he called them. That did not deter Duncan from prolonged and public whinging. He complained that MPs with their £64,000 salary, subsidized restaurants and champagne bars, paid secretarial staff and generous expense allowances, were expected "to live on rations and are treated like sh-t," a term he used publicly.<ref>
This happened at the height of the banking crisis, which caused great financial insecurity and hardship for the public, those "low-achievers" as he called them. That did not deter Duncan from prolonged and public whinging. He complained that MPs with their £64,000 salary, subsidized restaurants and champagne bars, paid secretarial staff and generous expense allowances, were expected "to live on rations and are treated like sh-t," a term he used publicly.<ref>
Duncan assumes a smiling, sunny image in public in the best PR tradition but a different personality flashes out from time to time. In April 2009, when appearing on the TV comedy show "Have I Got News For You," he shocked the audience by saying that he would kill an American beauty queen Carrie Prejean who had, when asked to give her opinion on marriage, stated very civilly that she considered it was between a "man and a woman." Duncan's "joke" about murdering her even shocked other contestants on the show.
Duncan assumes a smiling, sunny image in public in the best PR tradition but a different personality flashes out from time to time. In April 2009, when appearing on the TV comedy show "Have I Got News For You," he shocked the audience by saying that he would kill an American beauty queen Carrie Prejean who had, when asked to give her opinion on marriage, stated very civilly that she considered it was between a "man and a woman." Duncan's "joke" about murdering her even shocked other contestants on the show.
<ref>
<ref>
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00k2ph9
Have I Got News for You broadcast April 2009 threatened to kill Carrie Prejean </ref>
Have I Got News for You broadcast April 2009 threatened to kill Carrie Prejean </ref>
Many viewers complained to the BBC, the broadcasting watchdog OfCom and even to the police. The incident was reported in the press. “Gay Tory Frontbencher Faces Police Probe after Miss Universe Death Threat Live on TV”. <ref> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1173776/Gay-Tory-frontbencher-faces-police-probe-Miss-Universe-death-''threat-live-TV.html</ref>
Many viewers complained to the BBC, the broadcasting watchdog OfCom and even to the police. The incident was reported in the press. “Gay Tory Frontbencher Faces Police Probe after Miss Universe Death Threat Live on TV”. <ref> https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1173776/Gay-Tory-frontbencher-faces-police-probe-Miss-Universe-death-''threat-live-TV.html</ref>
''The Guardian'', a socialist and strongly pro-LGBT newspaper, excused his behavior by insisting it was a joke. Yet under UK law a death threat against a homosexual person for any reason would be a criminal offence carrying a jail term.
''The Guardian'', a socialist and strongly pro-LGBT newspaper, excused his behavior by insisting it was a joke. Yet under UK law a death threat against a homosexual person for any reason would be a criminal offence carrying a jail term.
Duncan also demonstrated his skills in intellectual debate by calling Miss Prejean, a qualified teacher, a "silly bitch."
Duncan also demonstrated his skills in intellectual debate by calling Miss Prejean, a qualified teacher, a "silly bitch."