Sir Michael Fallon, the former defence secretary made a lunge and tried to kiss a young female journalist on the lips after a lunch near Westminster, it was claimed.

Jane Merrick, a freelance journalist, said the incident took place when she was a 29 year old political reporter at the Daily Mail newspaper.​

Ms Merrick contacted Downing Street about her claims two hours before Sir Michael's shock resignation last Wednesday.

The incident was described as “completely disgusting” by Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary.Ms Rudd told Sky News Sir Michael’s ​behaviour had been “absolutely wrong. And it was right that he has stepped down”.

She added that the behaviour “is unacceptable now and in my opinion it was unacceptable 30 years ago”.