U.K. Harassment Scandal Escalates as Cabinet Minister Named
- Defence secretary admits repeatedly touching reporter’s knee
- Government proposes code of conduct to protect staff
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Pressure mounted on U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May late on Monday after her defence secretary admitted to inappropriately touching a journalist, bringing the growing uproar about endemic sexual harassment at Westminster to the heart of her government.
Michael Fallon said he apologized at the time for repeatedly touching the knee of Julia Hartley-Brewer at a dinner 15 years ago and they had put the incident behind them. Hartley-Brewer, who said she had threatened to “punch him in the face” if he did it again, also downplayed the incident.