Conservatives need to modernise their sometimes "sneering" approach to homosexuality, Alan Duncan has said.

The frontbencher, who last week became the first openly gay Conservative MP, said the party and the country should abandon the "ridiculous taboos" surrounding the issue.

He said that while Iain Duncan Smith was promoting tolerance in the party, there were still those who "sneer" at gays.

In an interview with BBC Radio 4's Broadcasting House programme, the Rutland and Melton MP said that adopting a new approach did not necessarily include agreeing to changes such as the repeal of Section 28 or backing same-sex marriages.

"I think there is scope for designing an approach to these issues which is specifically Conservative and which does not require us just to embrace the campaigning language and purpose of the left," he said.

"This is not an issue that should in any way be the preserve of the left. Some of the demands made by the left over the last few years are not necessarily ones which we need to share."

Duncan said he had "no regrets" about his decision to declare his homosexuality.

"I hope that the reaction this has prompted will make some in the Conservative Party realise that we do need to design a social agenda for the modern world which includes a proper understanding of issues such as this."

He said it was "absurd" to argue it was impossible to be both gay and a Conservative.

But he said that Conservatives who have criticised him for discussing his sexuality in public were using "code language" to express their distaste for homosexuality. He said many spoke of the subject with a "subliminal sneer".

Duncan said the reaction to his move had been overwhelmingly positive, with only 12 critical comments in the 700 emails and letters he had received.

"I don't think it's an issue at all now," he said. "I want to revert to talking about lots of other issues which matter in politics."

"I would just like to rid the party and the country, as far as I can, of this ridiculous taboo, which I think causes unnecessary misery to a lot of perfectly decent people who deserve to be regarded as respectable and decent like any other person."