ALAN Duncan last night withdrew from the Conservative leadership race, warning that a "Tory Taliban" could finish the party.Announcing his withdrawal, the openly gay MP for Rutland and Melton said: "Our Achilles heel has been our social attitude.

By Graham Dines

ALAN Duncan last night withdrew from the Conservative leadership race, warning that a "Tory Taliban" could finish the party.

Announcing his withdrawal, the openly gay MP for Rutland and Melton said: "Our Achilles heel has been our social attitude.

"Censorious judgmentalism from the moralising wing, which treats half our countrymen as enemies, must be rooted out. We should allow people to live as they choose until they actually harm someone.

"If the Tory Taliban can't get that, they'll condemn us all to oblivion."

He added: "Why are we talking so little of foreign affairs and social cohesion at a time when it is shaming for us not to have a single Muslim MP?"

The leadership winner is expected to emerge from a trio of David Davis, David Cameron and Dr Liam Fox.

However Theresa May is expected to declare shortly that she will enter the race to succeed Michael Howard.