Former international development minister Alan Duncan called yesterday for British action against Israel after a Palestinian minister was killed in a gas attack.

The Tory said the government should rally behind calls for a full inquiry into the death of Ziad Abu Ain and prosecution of the soldier responsible.

Mr Abu Ain was alleged to have been hit by the stock of an Israeli soldier’s rifle and inhaled tear gas fired by troops at an olive tree-planting protest against illegal settlements in the West Bank.

And Mr Duncan asked Nick Clegg, who was standing in for David Cameron at Prime Minister’s Questions, whether “you unreservedly condemn the killing” of the minister who he said was “doing nothing more than protesting in his own country against illegal demolitions and the destruction of ancient olive groves by the state of Israel?”

Mr Clegg said he was not aware of the circumstances of the particular case, but confirmed he would look into it “with urgency.”