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Sir Michael Fallon has sensationally resigned as Defence Secretary following allegations over his behaviour.

The 65-year-old Tory minister admitted his actions in the past had "fallen short" of those expected of the very soldiers he represents.

It brings a dramatic end to the ministerial career of one of the most high-profile Tory ministers in the government. Married Sir Michael is a former Deputy Chair of the Conservative Party who has been an MP for three decades.

Previously seen as “safe pair of hands”, he apologised this week for repeatedly placing his hand on the knee of political journalist Julia Hartley-Brewer in 2002.

He was the first Cabinet minister to be named as claims of sexually inappropriate behaviour swirled round Westminster.

It is understood he was braced for more possible allegations to emerge.

(Image: Carl Court)

Tonight Ms Hartley-Brewer repeated that she did not consider herself a victim - and if he'd quit over 'kneegate' it would be "the most insane, absurd and ridiculous resignation of a cabinet minister ever in the history of the world."

But Sevenoaks MP Sir Michael was under mounting pressure after Theresa's May’s official spokesman repeatedly refused to say she had full confidence in him.

Friends of Sir Michael tonight said he would be “mortified” at any suggestions he was “some kind of sex pest”.

But they conceded there may be more women who had similar experiences to Ms Hartley-Brewer.

The friends admitted times had changed from when such incidents would be seen as “flirtatious”. “It isn’t now, he gets that now,” they said.

(Image: Steve Back)

The friends added: “Are there going to be other people who have issues with that? I don’t know, we can’t guarantee it. He will absolutely concede that some of the flirtation has been inappropriate.”

Asked if he was worried more allegations would come out, Sir Michael told the BBC: "The culture has changed over the years. What might have been acceptable 15, 10 years ago is clearly not acceptable now.

“Parliament now has to look at itself. And the Prime Minister has made very clear that conduct needs to be improved and we need to protect the staff at Westminster against any particular allegations of harassment."

He added: "I have behaved in the past clearly in way that has occasionally been below the standards we require of the Armed Forces... There are always things you regret, you would have done differently."

Just 33 hours after she refused to back him, Sir Michael wrote to the Prime Minister: "A number of allegations have surfaced about MPs in recent days, including some about my previous conduct.

"Many of these have been false but I accept that in the past I have fallen below the high standards that we require of the Armed Forces that I have the honour to represent.

"I have reflected on my position and I am therefore resigning as Defence Secretary."

He added in a statement: "It has been a privilege to have served as Defence Secretary for the last three and half years, and I have nothing but admiration for the professionalism, bravery and service of those men and women who keep us safe.”

A source said resigning was “one of the most difficult decisions he would have to take in his life”.

But Mrs May did not try to talk him out of it, it is understood.

No 10 previously said it was “right” that Sir Michael had apologised.

(Image: AFP) (Image: PA)

Theresa May said in her letter: "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."

Mrs May said he had "a long and impressive ministerial career" stretching back to his first frontbech job as an assistant whip in 1988.

Since then he has been a science, business and energy minister and a shadow Treasury spokesman when Labour was in power.

Mrs May said: "You have combined these roles with diligent service to the public in two constituencies and I know you will continue to represent your constituents in that manner.

"On behalf of all those you have helped throughout your time in government, I thank you for your service."

Julia Hartley-Brewer told Sky News: "I'm incredibly shocked.

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"If this is over 'kneegate' and him touching my knee 15 years ago, me not having any issue with it today, then this is the most insane, absurd and ridiculous resignation of a cabinet minister ever in the history of the world.

"However, I don't think that is the reason. As he said in his statement he talked about his previous conduct. He said 'I've fallen below the high standards that we require of the Armed Forces.'

"I doubt very much if the standards they require of the Armed Forces is that no man in the military has ever touched the knee of a younger woman.

"I'm assuming there are more allegations to come, whether in a tabloid newspaper tomorrow or sooner than that."

Ms Hartley-Brewer stressed she had no knowledge of any new allegations.

In 2014, it was revealed Sir Michael was at the centre of an explosive row over claims he called journalist Bryony Gordon a “slut” in a bar.

Sources close to Sir Michael confirmed he had been drinking and had apologised after using a “wrong” term towards Ms Gordon in connection with her private life.

But they denied he called her a “slut”.

At the time, the Cabinet Minister also faced questions over a separate incident in which his party “minder” intervened to get him away from an attractive Russian blonde, after he gatecrashed a party.

Sir Michael was first elected to Parliament in 1983 as MP for Darlington but lost his seat in 1992.

He won the seat of Sevenoaks, Kent, in 1997 and has been MP ever since.

He was Business Minister before being elevated to the Cabinet as Defence Secretary in 2014.