Here is a full transcript of Conservative shadow minister Alan Duncan's exclusive television interview with BBC political correspondent Guto Harri about his decision to declare publicly that he is gay.

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Guto Harri: Mr Duncan, good morning. Can you tell us if you have the blessing of your leader for what you have done?

Alan Duncan: Yes. He's written me a letter which I'm about to go and collect from (Conservative) Central Office, so he and everyone have been very supportive, which is good, I think.

GH: How confident are you that the grass roots of your party will be comfortable with your sexuality?

AD: My constituents have been fantastic. They seem totally relaxed. I hope that just by giving an honest answer to a simple question, the whole world can just relax about this issue, not just in politics but in all walks of life.

I hope the taboo is now broken and people can talk about politics instead of these sorts of issues.

GH: You would not have been comfortable being this open in the past under different leaders?

AD: I think the world is moving on and certainly the Conservative Party is and that's good news.

It would be marvellous just to discuss politics with all issues of sex and sexuality just removed from the scene. I hope that this is a small blow for freedom and achieving that in the future.