Aftermath of sexual abuse allegations against disgraced Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein has triggered an outpouring of stories of abuse in corridors of power
Britain’s defence minister resigned on Wednesday after allegations emerged about inappropriate sexual behaviour, the latest twist in a growing scandal over harassment and abuse in the country’s corridors of power.
Michael Fallon said in a resignation letter to Prime Minister Theresa May that his “previous conduct… may have fallen below the high standards that we require of the Armed Forces.”
Fallon, 65, was first elected to Parliament in 1983 and has been defence secretary since 2014.
A newspaper reported last weekend that Fallon had repeatedly touched a journalist’s knee at a function in 2002. The journalist in question said she had shrugged off the incident, but reports suggested that other allegations about Fallon might soon emerge.
Accepting his resignation, May said she appreciated “the characteristically serious manner in which you have considered your position.”
Senior UK minister Damian Green denies allegations as sexual harassment scandal deepens
The scandal surrounding Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein has emboldened people in many industries to speak up about sexual harassment or attacks at the hands of powerful individuals who control their future job prospects.
In Britain, it has produced soul-searching about the growing number of reports of sexual harassment and abuse in politics. May has called a meeting of party leaders to discuss how to deal with the topic, amid a growing roster of allegations about inappropriate behaviour by politicians and parliamentary staff.
May has ordered an investigation into claims senior minister Damian Green made inappropriate advances to a Conservative activist.
Writer and academic Kate Maltby said Cabinet minister Damian Green “fleetingly” touched her knee in 2015 and later sent her a “suggestive” text message after she was pictured wearing a corset in a newspaper.
May said the whips should make it clear that allegations of crimes should be reported to police.
She has asked other party leaders to meet her next week to discuss setting up an independent grievance procedure for people working in Parliament.
“We have a duty to ensure that everyone coming here to contribute to public life is treated with respect,” she told lawmakers during her weekly session in the House of Commons.
