U.K. defense secretary resigns after allegations of harassment
British Defense Minister Michael Fallon sent his letter of resignation to Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday, writing, "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."
Fallon is a forceful May ally, and in recent weeks, he was one of several lawmakers accused of inappropriate behavior. He apologized earlier in the week for touching a radio reporter's knee in 2002, but in his letter to May, said other allegations made against him "have been false." Fallon is the first to resign amid the scandal, and his replacement is expected to be announced Thursday.
May has already demanded investigations into reports that her deputy, Damian Green, made a sexual advance toward a young woman and a Cabinet minister asked his female secretary to purchase sex toys. A Labour Party activist has also accused a senior party member of rape, and Parliament aides and researchers have compiled a list of people they have branded "sex pests," Reuters reports. House of Commons leader Andrea Leadsom on Monday said the government is going to get tough on sexual harassment claims, enforcing a code of conduct and setting up a grievance procedure.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
'Without mandatory testing, bird flu will continue circulating at farms across the country'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Thirteen missing after Red Sea tourist boat sinks
Speed Read The vessel sank near the Egyptian coastal town of Marsa Alam
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Khan supporters converge on Islamabad
Speed Read Protesters clashing with Pakistani authorities are demanding the release of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published