Fallon resigns as UK defense secretary over repeatedly touching journalist’s knee
UK Defense Secretary Michael Fallon has resigned from his position after accepting his misconduct in the past on the backdrop of Westminster sexual harassment scandal.
Fallon admitted Wednesday that his "previous conduct" had "fallen below the high standards" after he was reportedly accused of grabbing the leg of a female journalist.
"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 honor to represent,” he was quoted by The Sun as writing in a letter to Prime Minister Theresa May. "I am reflecting on my position and I am therefore resigning as defense secretary."
Julia Hartley-Brewer, a presenter for Talkradio, reportedly threatened to punch Fallon for repeatedly putting his hand on her knee.
The married father-of-two said that he later apologized to her.
The British premier has vowed to “take action” against the phenomenon.
“I am very clear that we will take action against those where there are allegations that we see, and the evidence is there, that there has been misconduct,” May told lawmakers earlier Wednesday.
Hundreds of thousands of women and men are sharing their experiences of falling victim to harassment after Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein was accused of sexual abuse.
In his letter, Fallon, an experienced Tory also took credit for some of the measure he has taken as the head of the British armed forces.
“We are close to defeating Daesh terrorism in Iraq and Syria; we have taken a leadership role in NATO [the North Atlantic Alliance] and we have secured a defense budget that will grow ahead of inflation each year.
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