British Defense Secretary resigns

On 1 November, Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon resigned. “Many of the allegations made recently are not true, but I recognize that my behaviour may have ‘fallen short’ of the standards expected by the UK military,” his statement reads.

He also told the BBC that what had been “acceptable 15, 10 years ago is clearly not acceptable now”.

The reason for his resignation is not clear, but it comes a day after a spokesman for Sir fallon confirmed that he was once rebuked by a journalist, Julia Hartley-Brewer, for putting his hand on her knee during a dinner in 2002.

Ms Hartley-Brewer, a former political editor of the Sunday Express and regular political commentator, told BBC Radio 4’s The World Tonight: “If he has gone because he touched my knee 15 years ago, that is genuinely the most absurd reason for anyone to have lost their job in the history of the universe, so I hope it is not because of that.”

Theresa May said she appreciated the “serious manner” in which Sir Michael had considered his Cabinet role.

This is the fourth scandal of the kind in recent days. Previously Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey and Dustin Hoffman were accused of sexual harassment. As a result Weinstein had to leave his own company, and Spacey lost the chance for getting an Emmy award.