Tag: Michael Fallon

Michael Fallon

Tory MP for: Sevenoaks (Kent, SE England)
First elected: 1997
2017 majority over Labour: 21,917 (42.8%)
Seat at-risk ranking: 302nd (out of 317 Tory MPs)

Former Government posts:

  • Secretary of State for Defence (July 2014-Nov 2017)
  • Minister of State for Energy (2013-2014)
  • Minister of State for Business & Enterprise (2012-2014)

[Wikipedia article on Michael Fallon]  [Wikipedia article on Sevenoaks constituency]

Fallon resigned for lunging at female journalist and trying to kiss her on the lips in 2003

From The Observer: The dramatic circumstances of Michael Fallon’s sudden resignation as defence secretary last week can be revealed by the Observer.

The cabinet heavyweight’s shock departure on Wednesday followed a phone call from the journalist, Jane Merrick, who informed Downing Street that he had lunged at her and attempted to kiss her on the lips in 2003 after they had lunched together.

The revelation was the tipping point for No 10, which the Observer understands had been compiling a list of alleged incidents involving Fallon since claims against him were first made. Read more

Tory defence secretary Michael Fallon quits over sleaze

fallon quitsFrom Metro: Tory Defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon has resigned, saying soldiers would not be allowed to behave in the way he has in the past. The minister was caught up in the sexual harassment scandal engulfing Westminster after it emerged he repeatedly put his hand on a journalist’s knee during a party conference dinner in 2002.

[Read full article on Metro website…]

Tory Defence Secretary: criticising Saudi Arabia ‘not helpful’ for UK arms sales

From The Guardian: Tory defence secretary Michael Fallon urged MPs to stop criticising Saudi Arabia in the interests of securing a fighter jet deal, provoking sharp criticism from human rights and arms trade campaigners.

Michael Fallon told the defence committee: “I have to repeat, sadly, to this committee that obviously other criticism of Saudi Arabia in this parliament is not helpful and … I’ll leave it there,” he said. “But we need to do everything possible to encourage Saudi Arabia towards batch two. I believe they will commit to batch two.” Read more