Defence Secretary quits over sex pest scandal
HARASSMENT STORM: FALLON SAYS HE FELL ‘BELOW STANDARDS REQUIRED’
SIR MICHAEL Fallon last night quit as Defence Secretary following allegations of inappropriate behaviour as he acknowledged he had “fallen below the high standards required” of the senior Government role.
The Tory veteran became the first head to roll in the sexual harassment scandal sweeping Westminster after it emerged he had repeatedly put his hand on a journalist’s knee during a party conference dinner in 2002. The resignation leaves Theresa May facing a reshuffle and deprives her of one of her most experienced Cabinet ministers.
Sir Michael’s name had appeared on the unverified list of sexual misconduct allegations which has been circulating in Westminster. In his resignation letter to Mrs May, he said: “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 that in the past I have fallen below the high standards that we require of the armed forces that I have the honour to represent.”
In her reply to the letter, the Prime Minister said: “I appreciate the characteristically serious manner in which you have considered your position.”
The 2002 Tory party conference incident involved radio host Julia Hartley-Brewer, who has said she had not regarded the incident as “anything but mildly amusing”.