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UK Defence Secretary resigns amidst Westminster sexual misconduct claims
Sir Michael Fallon is the first politician to resign following the recent sexual misconduct claims made in UK Parliament
UK Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has resigned after sexual allegations were made against him.
He is the first politician to quit following recent claims of serious sexual abuse in UK parliament.
Fallon has said that his behaviour has “fallen short” of the standards expected by the UK military, and had since “reflected on my position”.
He told the BBC that what had been "acceptable 15, 10 years ago is clearly not acceptable now".
Fallon's resignation comes after he apologised for putting his hand on radio host Julia Hartley-Bewer’s knee in 2002 last Monday.
Ms Hartley-Brewer said since responded that she "absolutely didn't expect the news".
"I'm incredibly shocked. If this is about knee-gate, him touching my knee 15 years ago and me not having any issue with it at all, this is the most absurd resignation of a Cabinet minister ever," she told Sky News.
"I doubt very much if one of the standards they require in the armed forces means that no man in the military has ever touched the knee of a younger woman."
In a letter written to Theresa May, Fallon 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," he said.
"I have reflected on my position and I am therefore resigning as Defence Secretary."
Sir Michael Fallon wrote a letter to the PM
The PM has since responded saying "I appreciate the characteristically serious manner in which you have considered your position, and the particular example you wish to set to servicemen and women and others."
"On behalf of all those you have helped throughout your time in Government, I thank you for your service."
Sir Michael became Defence Secretary in July 2014, after ministerial roles in the Treasury, and Education and Energy departments spanning four prime ministers
