The conservative MP and Defence Secretary Michael Fallon stepped down on Wednesday amid claims of sexual harassment towards the Welsh journalist Elliw Gwawr.
The Journalist for BBC Wales claims that the older and married Defence secretary placed a hand seductively on her knee, in a way that suggested he wanted to "take things further."
The Journalist exclaimed that she was "Quite shocked" and immediately told the MP "No"
Michael Fallon admitted on Wednesday that in the past he has “fallen below the high standards we have come to expect of our armed forces” in his resignment speech in which he aptly summarised that he had reviewed his time as a politician and had, therefore, decided to step down.
Sir Fallon has been replaced by chief whip Gavin Williamson
The MP stated that he was “both honoured and excited” to be taking the role of Defence secretary and made the promise to ensure that the armed forces received “the recognition they deserve” and they evolve to meet the “changing threats” that are required to represent modern society.
The ex-Chief Whip seeks to institute change into the nation's military to better face modern threats such as the London terror attacks and the Manchester bombing
Some Conservative MP’s have expressed disappointment at the Prime minister's decision to promote Gavin Williamson, arguing that a chief whip should not be leaving his post with no ministerial experience and at such a pressing time.
One senior conservative argued that the MP had abused his powers as chief whip
Possibly more frustrating for the Conservative party is that Penny Mordaunt and Tobias Ellwood were also potential candidates that were possibly deliberately overlooked by the PM because of Mr Williamson. One MP Sarah Wollaston emphasised that the role of the whip was to guide the prime minister in finding a suitable candidate and not to put himself forward.
To clarify this MP’s believe that as chief whip Gavin Williamson abused his powers of influence with PM Theresa May and promoted himself to the role of Defence Secretary, an action considered very controversial within parliament.
Further concerns surface when it is considered that Mr Williamson has no military background and no experience as a minister - particularly worrying since he will be expected to stave off defence cuts and personally oversee RAF air strikes on terror cells in the Middle East.
However, the Prime Minister expresses faith in Mr Williamson and in the maintaining of the whips office in his absence.
She also went on to state that Mr Williamson had no effect on her decisions regarding the reshuffle and that he made "an excellent and hard-working chief whip and the prime minister thinks he will make an excellent defence secretary".
