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Fallon Quits As Defense Secretary, UK Gov’t Says His Resignations Is Just the Start

Fallon Quits As Defense Secretary, UK Gov’t Says His Resignations Is Just the Start
folder_openUnited Kingdom access_time6 years ago
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Michael Fallon has resigned as defense secretary, admitting that his behavior towards women in the past has "fallen short", as the Conservatives struggle to contain the growing scandal about harassment at Westminster.

Fallon Quits As Defense Secretary, UK Gov’t Says His Resignations Is Just the Start

Fallon apologized earlier this week over an incident 15 years ago in which he made unwanted advances to the journalist Julia Hartley-Brewer, although Hartley-Brewer herself insisted: "No one was remotely upset or distressed."

But friends of Fallon suggested that there may have been similar incidents more recently, saying: "He would absolutely concede that some of the flirtation has been inappropriate." Allegations of inappropriate behavior have been swirling around Westminster.

Asked if he feared any further revelations, Fallon told the BBC: "The culture has changed over the years. What might have been acceptable 10, 15 years ago is clearly not acceptable now. Parliament now needs to look at itself and the prime minister has made very clear that conduct needs to be improved."

In his resignation letter to the prime minister, 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 in the past I have fallen below the high standards that we require of the armed forces that I have the honor to represent. I have reflected on my position and I am now resigning as defense secretary."

In her reply to Fallon's letter, the prime minister said: "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." She praised his "diligent service".

Theresa May is expected to appoint a replacement on Thursday without embarking on a wider reshuffle.

Fallon resigned on the day May toughened her proposals for dealing with physical misconduct in politics by promising that complaints could be referred to an independent body, as more accounts of incidents emerged.

Fallon's name was on the "sleaze list" spreadsheet of 40 Conservative MPs accused of misbehavior compiled by party staff, although the list has been largely discredited because many of the other entries on the list have proved to be innocuous or inaccurate.

Accordingly, the British government fears that Fallon's resignation may just be the start.

May cannot control the events unleashed by the allegations of harassment swirling around Westminster. Any attempt to draw the line with a limited reshuffle could quickly come unstuck if fresh allegations emerge about another minister.

More people could come forward at any moment to claim they were victims of abuse.

Other politicians may look into their souls [and their past] and decide they should depart before being exposed for wrongdoing.

united kingdom | michael fallon | westminster

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team

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