UK defense minister resigns amid allegations

LONDON — Britain’s defense minister resigned Wednesday after allegations emerged about inappropriate sexual behavior — the latest twist in a growing scandal over harassment and abuse in the country’s corridors of power.

Michael Fallon said in a resignation letter to Prime Minister Theresa May that his “previous conduct ... may have fallen below the high standards that we require of the Armed Forces.”

Fallon, 65, was first elected to Parliament in 1983 and has been defense secretary since 2014.

A newspaper reported last weekend that Fallon had repeatedly touched a journalist’s knee at a function in 2002. The journalist said she had shrugged off the incident, but reports suggested that other allegations about Fallon might soon emerge.

Accepting his resignation, May said she appreciated “the characteristically serious manner in which you have considered your position.”

Meanwhile, an opposition Labour Party activist said the party discouraged her from reporting that she was raped at a Labour conference in 2011 when she was 19. Bex Bailey said a party official told her “that if I did, it might damage me.”

The party said it was investigating the report.

Labour lawmaker Lisa Nandy said that she had raised concerns three years ago that party whips kept claims of sexual abuse as ammunition to control lawmakers.