Gay Tory MP Alan Duncan appointed international development minister
Out gay Conservative MP Alan Duncan has been appointed international development minister in David Cameron’s new coalition government.
Mr Duncan missed out on a cabinet role and will instead work under new international development secretary Andrew Mitchell, who shadowed the role in the last parliament.
The department is responsible for promoting development overseas, which includes distributing aid to third-world countries.
Mr Duncan was previously shadow minister for prisons. He was given the role in September, a demotion from shadow leader of the House after he was secretly filmed complaining that MPs had to live on “rations”.
The multi-millionaire MP for Rutland and Melton, was criticised last year for claiming nearly £4,000 for gardening on his expenses. He apologised and paid back the money.
He was the first gay Tory MP to come out voluntarily and was also the first MP to have a civil partnership.
Mr Cameron is expected to finish naming his government team today, as the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition enters its third full day in power.
