UK Conservative Party to investigate ex-Foreign Office minister over statements on war in Gaza News
Jelony, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
UK Conservative Party to investigate ex-Foreign Office minister over statements on war in Gaza

The UK Conservative Party announced Thursday that Sir Alan Duncan, an ex-Foreign Office minister, is being investigated over comments to a national radio channel alleging that his colleagues are pro-Israel “extremists.”

During the radio interview, Duncan stated that those who are “doing the bidding” of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, ought to be expelled from the party as they refuse to support international law. He also accused two peers in the House of Lords of “exercising the interests of another” by advocating on behalf of Israel via the Conservative Friends of Israel group. Additionally, Duncan labeled ex-Home Secretary Suella Braverman as “disgusting, repulsive and repellant” for denying the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the risk of famine.

A Conservative Party spokesperson told the Guardian newspaper that an investigation into the comments would be opened. Duncan could then face suspension or expulsion from the party. In response to the investigation, Duncan stated:

If this is indeed their intention, I will probably be the only person ever to be reproached for upholding his party’s policy and for defending the principles of international law and justice in the face of others who would undermine them.

Duncan previously served as a foreign minister and an aid minister in the UK government before stepping down as an MP in 2019.

The Board of Deputies for British Jews released a statement condemning Duncan’s accusations of dual loyalties as “disgraceful” and calling for his position within the Conservative Party to be reconsidered. Alternatively, senior SNP MP and lawyer Joanna Cherry called the investigation into Duncan a “disgrace” as he was “telling the truth.”

The comments come at a tense time in British politics regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict. This week, three British citizens delivering aid died after an Israeli strike on their vehicles. The incident has raised questions regarding Britain’s sale of arms to Israel.

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