Harriet Harman backs MP AlanDuncan

Commons Leader Harriet Harman has paid tribute to Melton MP Alan Duncan.

Ms Harman spoke out over her former counterpart yesterday after he was sacked in September for complaining MPs were made to live "on rations".

The pair enjoyed much banter during their weekly questions on Commons business.

At the first such session since the summer recess, yesterday, Ms Harman paid tribute to the former shadow leader of the commons to fellow MPs.

She said: "I think it was very sad he was sacked and rusticated back out of the shadow Cabinet.

"It looks like he was sacked for drinking Champagne, which I think he probably – and most people – thought was a job description for being a member of the Tory party.

"Anyway, I do hope he will find his way back into the shadow cabinet – if not before the General Election, at least after it."

Ms Harman also welcomed former cabinet minister Sir George Young as his replacement. Sir George, former chairman of the Standards and Privileges Committee, was shadow Commons leader in 1998.

Mr Duncan is now shadow prisons minister.