Michael Fallon resigned after journalist Jane Merrick told Downing Street the ex-Defence Secretary lunged at her and tried to kiss her
SIR Michael Fallon quit as Defence Secretary after a female journalist reported him to Downing Street for attempting to lunge at and kiss her, it has emerged.
Jane Merrick alleged the former defence secretary made tried to kiss her on the lips after a lunch in 2003.
A call to No 10 from Ms Merrick helped pave the way to the Cabinet minister's sudden departure from his role this week, reports
She claimed she decided to formally complain after seeing similar allegations come to light, the newspaper said.
Writing about the encounter, which took place when she was a 29-year-old junior political reporter at the Daily Mail, Ms Merrick said: "I felt humiliated, ashamed.
"Was I even guilty that maybe I had led him on in some way by drinking with him? After years of having a drink with so many other MPs who have not acted inappropriately towards me, I now know I was not."
The journalist had previously written about the alleged incident, but chose not to name Sir Michael.
Her allegations come as the sexual harassment scandal engulfing Westminster shows little sign of abating.
On Tuesday an unnamed woman reported to No10 that the ex-Defence Secretary had groped her.
The complaint followed fellow Cabinet minister Andrea Leadsom’s whistle blowing claims about Sir Michael’s lewd comments to her, and how he once repeatedly put his hand on radio host Julia Hartley Brewer’s knee.
Like Ms Leadsom, the woman was also furious that Downing Street had appeared to clear the defence supremo when the Ms Hartley Brewer incident of 15 years ago emerged.
Meanwhile the Sunday Telegraph reports Theresa May is under pressure last night to disclose what two of her closest allies knew about allegations made against senior Tories amid claims they “sat on” accusations.
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