UK defence secretary quits over sexual harassment allegation

UK defence secretary quits over sexual harassment allegation
This file photo taken on October 31, 2017 shows Britain's Defence Secretary Michael Fallon leaving 10 Downing Street after the weekly meeting of the cabinet in central London. (AFP)
Updated 02 November 2017
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UK defence secretary quits over sexual harassment allegation

UK defence secretary quits over sexual harassment allegation

LONDON: British defense minister Michael Fallon resigned from his position on Wednesday saying he accepted his conduct in the past had fallen below high standards.
Fallon was named in an a newspaper article earlier this week which said he had touched a radio presenter’s knee in 2002.
The BBC reported on Monday that Fallon’s spokesman said he had apologized for the incident at the time. The presenter tweeted that she considered the matter closed.
After sexual abuse allegations against Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein prompted hundreds of thousands of women and men to share stories about inappropriate behavior, Britain’s parliament — a bastion of tradition — has been no exception.
Earlier on Wednesday British Prime Minister Theresa May said action would be taken when there were allegations and evidence of sexual misconduct.
“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,” she told lawmakers.