Ex-Tory minister Sir Alan Duncan faces expulsion from party for attacking ‘pro Israel extremist’ Conservatives

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Former foreign minister Sir Alan Duncan is being investigated by Tory chiefs after he said pro-Israel “extremists” in the party should be kicked out because they refused to support international law. Sir Alan said ex-cabinet minister Eric Pickles and Tory peer Stuart Polak, both members of the powerful Conservative Friends of Israel organisation, should both be thrown out of the party. open image in gallery Sir Alan Duncan is under investigation by the Conservative Party Sir Alan, who served as a Conservative minister between 2010 and 2019, cited Mr Tugendhat’s past condemnation of the United Nations Security Council for criticising Israel’s settlements policy. It said: “This is disgraceful; we understand the Conservatives have opened an investigation into Sir Alan’s conduct, and we believe the party should consider whether his position as a party member is tenable.” open image in gallery Rishi Sunak is under mounting pressure to suspend arms sales to Israel Conservative Friends of Israel vice-chairman, Tory MP Andrew Percy, said: “Alan Duncan is a ridiculous character and accusing a Jewish parliamentarian of working for Israel at a time of record levels of antisemitism not only puts that individual in danger but also risks fuelling Jew hate here in the UK.