Britain’s Defence Secretary Michael Fallon resigned on Thursday over allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour.
Fallon, 65, stepped down as UK defence secretary saying his conduct may have fallen below the high standards expected amid revelations that he had made unwanted advances towards a journalist years ago.
“A number of allegations have surfaced about MPs in recent days, including some about my previous conduct. Many of these have been false, but I accept in the past I have fallen below the high standards that we require of the armed forces that I have the honour to represent,” Fallon said in his resignation letter to May.
It remains unclear if it was the particular revelation of Fallon repeatedly placing his hand on the knee of journalist Julia Hartley-Brewer that triggered his decision to step down or there were other incidents involving an abuse of power that may have precipitated his departure.
Hartley-Brewer, at the centre of the allegations that came to light earlier this week, has stressed that she did not see herself as a victim and that the incident had not “remotely upset or distressed” anyone.
“If this is over kneegate, him touching my knee 15 years ago and me not having any issue with it today, this is the most insane, absurd and ridiculous resignation of a Cabinet minister ever,” she said. The British prime minister in her response to Fallon’s resignation letter praised his “diligent service” and welcomed the “particular example you wish to set to servicemen and women and others”.
Fallon, described as a Conservative party heavyweight and even tipped as a future Prime Minister, becomes the first victim of a deepening scandal over sexual misconduct in the corridors of political power in the UK.
While May is expected to appoint a new defence secretary without the need for a very wide reshuffle, the position of another of her senior ministers, First Secretary of State Damian Green, remains precarious after disclosures by an academic and Conservative party activist Kate Maltby.
He has categorically denied making unwanted sexual advances towards Maltby but remains under investigation by Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood on the orders of Theresa May.
“Parliament now has to look at itself and the Prime Minister has made very clear that conduct needs to be improved and we need to protect the staff of Westminster against any particular allegations of harassment,” Fallon said soon after his resignation.
