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UK Defense Secretary resigns amid harassment allegations

01 November 2017 22:11 (UTC +04:00)

Michael Fallon, the UK's defense secretary, has resigned from his post following harassment allegations, APA reports quoting sputniknews.

Fallon wrote in his resignation letter that his past behavior may have "fallen below" the standards expected from the armed forces.

"A number of allegations have surfaced about MPs in recent days including some about my previous conduct," Fallon's resignation letter, obtained by the Independent, read. "Many of these have been false but I accept that in the past I have fallen below the high standards we require of the armed forces that I have the honour to represent."

"I have reflected on my position and I am therefore resigning as Defence Secretary," the letter added.

Accusations first came to light after the official admitted to touching a female journalist's knee in 2002. The journalist, Julia Hartley-Brewer, did not name Fallon when she recounted the incident.

Earlier this week, Fallon apologized for behaving inappropriately toward Hartley-Brewer.