Alan Duncan comes out as first gay Tory MP

Alan Duncan, a shadow Foreign Affairs minister, last night became the first serving Tory MP to openly declare he is gay.

Mr Duncan's "clear and unequivocal" statement will be a test of the modernising credentials of Iain Duncan Smith and underlines the determination of many in the party to prove it has changed.

The Tory leader welcomed and supported Mr Duncan's decision, according to The Times. Mr Duncan, who has never hidden his sexuality from friends and colleagues, said: "Living in disguise as a politician in the modern world simply isn't an option.

"The Tory view has always been, 'We don't mind, but don't say'. Well, that doesn't work any more. I think the only realistic way to behave these days, particularly if you are a politician, is to be absolutely honest."

A handful of Tory MPs, including Michael Brown, now a columnist for The Independent, and Matthew Parris, have "come out" as homosexuals since they left office but none did so when MPs.

Mr Duncan claims that some colleagues have "muttered behind their hands" about his sexuality.

Asked if he would be in the shadow Cabinet if he were not gay, Mr Duncan told the paper: "Maybe. If I were married with two kids, I might be in a different position. But it doesn't bother me because I'm loving what I'm doing.

"The Conservative Party is changing and changing fast. It has been a party where anyone who was open would just hit a glass ceiling, as has happened to me at some stages. The Conservative Party has taken a long time to catch up with the world as it is."