UK names new defence minister after sex scandal claims senior scalp
Theresa May used a swift cabinet reshuffle to stem a political crisis after the resignation of Britain’s defence minister over accusations of sexual misconduct.
The prime minister’s appointment of her party’s enforcer, Gavin Williamson, the chief whip, risked upsetting the delicate political balance in her minority government.
There was dismay among some Conservatives that she had not offered preferment to a military veteran.
Mr Williamson was yesterday appointed the successor to Michael Fallon, who admitted that his past behaviour had “fallen short” of standards required of Britain’s armed forces. He remains an member of parliament.
His resignation came after it seemed he had ridden out a storm after confirming to newspapers that he had put his hand on the knee of a female journalist during a dinner in 2002.
The timing sparked speculation that Mr Fallon feared further damage after the circulation of a spreadsheet with allegations against 40 politicians, some of whom deny wrongdoing.
Mr Williamson is fiercely loyal to Mrs May and is regarded as a safe pair of hands as the government faces continuing turmoil over allegations of harassment.
A member since 2010, Mr Williamson told Mrs May that Mr Fallon could face more allegations, triggering his predecessor’s resignation.
The row has raised fears of further resignations distracting the leadership as it faces the task of negotiating an exit from the European Union. It also came at time when the military is facing more cuts.
Richard Dannatt, a former head of the armed forces, had warned that Mr Fallon’s replacement needed to be a champion of higher defence spending.
Mrs May on Wednesday called other British political leaders to a summit to address the allegations of sexual misconduct.
Another of her allies, Damian Green, is accused of making flirtatious passes at a Tory activist and journalist. He has denied the claims.
The opposition party Labour has been implicated in the scandal, with one activist claiming that she was persuaded by senior figures not to report a rape by a party member to the police.
The scandal in Westminster was triggered by the recent accusations of sexual assault made against Hollywood movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.