'I May Have Fallen below High Standards We Require,' Says Michael Fallon as He Resigns

Michael Fallon has resigned as defence secretary, admitting his behaviour towards women in the past has 'fallen short', as the Conservatives struggle to contain the growing scandal about sexual harassment at Westminster. In her reply to Fallon’s letter, the prime minister said, 'I appreciate the characteristically serious manner in which you have considered your position, and the particular example you wish to set to servicemen and women and others.' Fallon apologised earlier this week over an incident 15 years ago in which he made unwanted advances to the journalist Julia Hartley-Brewer, placing his hand on her knee Michael Fallon quits as defence secretary, saying his behaviour has 'fallen short'

Michael Fallon: ‘Swamped by Migrants’ Remark Leaves Tories in Disarray

Defence secretary Michael Fallon appearing on the
Andrew Marr Show, 26 October 2014

THE GUARDIAN: Defence minister’s comments about immigration prompt hasty climbdown by No 10

Michael Fallon, the defence secretary, has claimed British towns are being “swamped” by immigrants and their residents are “under siege”, in an escalation of the emotive language being used by Tory ministers calling for a renegotiation of the UK’s relationship with Europe.

In language reminiscent of Margaret Thatcher in the 1970s, he said on Sunday that in some areas of the UK, large numbers of migrant workers and foreign people claiming benefits should be subject to some form of restraint or risk dominating the local population.

His words follow David Cameron’s pledge to make changes to the principle of freedom of movement of workers within the union a “red line” in a mooted renegotiation of the UK’s membership terms. » | Rajeev Syal | Monday, October 27, 2014

Afghans Accuse Defence Secretary Liam Fox of Racism and Disrespect
TIMES ONLINE: Liam Fox was under attack last night for damaging Britain’s relations with Kabul after he described Afghanistan as a “broken 13th-century country”.

The Defence Secretary’s comments, made in an interview with The Times published on Saturday, provoked fury from the Afghan Government and media with officials calling the claims racist.

According to senior Afghan officials, Dr Fox’s characterisation of the country was raised at a meeting with President Karzai on Saturday. The President expressed his deep displeasure at the remarks, they said.

In his interview Dr Fox said that there must be a distinction between military and humanitarian goals. “We are not in Afghanistan for the sake of the education policy in a broken 13th-century country. We are there so the people of Britain and our global interests are not threatened.”

A senior Afghan government source said: “His view appears to be that Afghanistan has not changed since the 13th century and it implies that Afghanistan is a tribal and medieval society. Read on and comment >>> Tom Coghlan, Defence Correspondent | Monday, May 24, 2010

US Cannot Afford Another Afghanistan or Iraq, Warns Defence Secretary
THE TELEGRAPH: Robert Gates, the US Defence Secretary, has said military spending must be cut by up to $15 billion a year and that the US cannot afford to enter into another Afghanistan or Iraq.

Mr Gates said that America would be forced to take tight budgets into consideration before launching any military action against Iran.

His plans would see cuts in spending on its bureaucracy and on equipment designed for a repeat of the Second World War rather than the smaller wars of the 21st century.

However, he said he would protect the military's ability to fight the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He said that defence spending had doubled since the September 11, 2001 attacks, and that the severe recession guaranteed that "the gusher has been turned off and will stay off for a good period of time". >>> Alex Spillius in Washington | Sunday, May 09, 2010

Bob Ainsworth criticises Barack Obama over Afghanistan
THE TELEGRAPH: Bob Ainsworth, the Defence Secretary, has blamed Barack Obama and the United States for the decline in British public support for the war in Afghanistan.

He took the unprecedented step of publicly criticising the US President and his delays in sending more troops to bolster the mission against the Taliban.

A “period of hiatus” in Washington - and a lack of clear direction - had made it harder for ministers to persuade the British public to go on backing the Afghan mission in the face of a rising death toll, he said.

Senior British Government sources have become increasingly frustrated with Mr Obama’s “dithering” on Afghanistan.

However, Mr Ainsworth is the first minister to express in public what amounts to personal criticism of the President’s leadership. >>> James Kirkup, Thomas Harding and Toby Harnden | Wednesday, November 25, 2009

THE TELEGRAPH: Iraq war files: British colonel's scathing attack on 'arrogant, bureaucratic' Americans >>> | Monday, November 23, 2009

DIE PRESSE: Auf Bush-Kurs: Obama lehnt Landminen-Verbot ab: US-Präsident Obama behält die Politik seines Vorgängers Bush bei: Die USA schließen sich als einziges Nato-Land nicht der Konvention zum Verbot von Landminen an. >>> Ag. | Mittwoch, 25. November 2009