MICHAEL Fallon was forced to resign as Defence Secretary partly because he was accused of behaving inappropriately towards his cabinet colleague Andrea Leadsom, it is being reported today.
Downing Street sources today claimed Leadsom did not ask the Prime Minister to sack the Tory veteran as Defence Secretary, following reports the Commons Leader passed a dossier of claims about him to Number 10.
It is being claimed Leadsom presented a number of allegations against Fallon to the Prime Minister on Tuesday, dating back to when the Tory MPs were colleagues on the Treasury Select Committee between 2010 and 2012.
Leadsom is said to have objected to lewd remarks he made at a meeting six years ago.
When Leadsom complained of cold hands, Fallon allegedly replied: "I know somewhere you can put them to warm up."
Allies of the former Defence Secretary said he “fundamentally denied” making such a comment.
Leadsom is also said to have complained of unwanted physical contact, including Fallon placing an arm around her.
Sir Michael was presented with the allegations by Theresa May after Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday.
According to reports today he denied making the hand-warming comment, but admitted some of his remarks during committee meetings "might not have been appropriate".
He stunned Westminster on Wednesday evening by announcing he was resigning because his past behaviour had "fallen below the high standards we require of the Armed Forces".
The Tory MP had apologised earlier this week for touching the knee of journalist Julia Hartley-Brewer at the Conservative Party conference in 2002. Hartley-Brewer said she had not regarded the incident as 'anything but mildly amusing'.
Speaking to MPs on Monday about the sexual misconduct allegations that have engulfed Westminster in recent days, Leadsom said that no one who works in parliament should be made to feel “uncomfortable”, had reported Fallon to the Prime Minister.
She said the key yardstick must be how those on the receiving end were made to feel.
"I have been clear that the issue is around, first, those who are made to feel uncomfortable: I am setting the bar significantly below criminal activity. If people are made to feel uncomfortable, that is not correct.
"In terms of the consequences for the perpetrators, I have also been clear that staff could forfeit their jobs, members of parliament could have the whip withdrawn and ministers could be fired from ministerial office."
Fallon has been replaced by the former chief whip Gavin Williamson, but some senior Tories believe there may need to be further resignations in the coming days if fresh allegations emerge.
Leadsom stood against May for the party leadership, before stepping aside after appearing to suggest being a mother would make her a better Prime Minister. The Brexiteer is keen to place herself at the forefront of efforts to rid Westminster of its reputation for sexual harassment.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel