Sir Michael Fallon Denies 'lewd Remarks' Allegation

[mikey4444]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41854582

So.... it appears that Leadsom making a complaint to Teresa on Monday was the real reason that Fallon "fell on his sword"

He jumped before he could be pushed.

[ummmm]

He's ignoring you Naomi :-D

[Sqad]

I wonder if we are getting a cross section of feminine opinion here, as all the comments that i have received from Mrs sqad and her friends is that she has had flirtatious comments all her life and so has her friends, but never...ever...considered complaining to "higher authorities" in fact she has taken many as compliments e.g "great pair of t1.ts" or "I bet she likes plenty of it"

But there you go as one of our female ABers said....." we have moved on."

[naomi24]

Haaaa! I'd never have guessed, Ummmm. ;o)

[vulcan42]

mikey, I will answer your question although you rarely answer mine. I don't know why he resigned, I assume he thought it better to do so for the sake of his family, his party and yes, his reputation. Like so many "he said, she said" situations like this, when the truth seldom comes out, it's sometimes better to withdraw voluntary than to have the media and others, make up their own version of the truth and decide he's guilty no matter what he said.

[youngmafbog]

Trial by TwitFace, media and Mickey.

It has replaced trial by jury. Havn't you heard?

jon, what I am saying is that women in groups with few men are terrible. So why would you want fewer men?

And it is not my misfortune, it is part of life. You just get on with it and pay no attention.

[anotheoldgit]

I think these days, on being invited to a dinner party I would risk the chance of being called a 'racist', a 'misogynistic', or a 'homophobic' if I made a special request to be seated only next to Straight White Males.

Much less chance of being more seriously accused.

[andy-hughes]

The way to avoid these situations, and the fall-out from them, is to educate boys and girls to respect each other, and be mindful that what is meant in a remark, or behaviour, is not always what is received.

Remember Dave Lee Travis, genuinely baffled that women did not appreciate his being a 'cuddly tactile person' as he saw himself?

What the hairy sex-pest failed to understand is that, just because he liked laying hands on any and every woman within arms' reach did not equate to every one of them thinking it was just big cuddly old Dave, so it's absolutely fine.

People need to learn proper behaviour around each other, and to understand that harmless banter delivered can be sexual harassment received - and basically learn some dignity and respect for people around them, and more importantly, for themselves.

[andy-hughes]

AOG - // I think these days, on being invited to a dinner party I would risk the chance of being called a 'racist', a 'misogynistic', or a 'homophobic' if I made a special request to be seated only next to Straight White Males. //

I am delighted to give you the benefit of the doubt here, and assume you are being heavily ironic in your seating request.

However, if not, why not avoid the straight white males who are like you, and sit with a gay / black / female, You could enjoy some more stimulating conversation, and learn that 'different' does not equate to 'to be despised and feared' - and you could learn a lot.

But as I said, I am sure you are being ironic.

[mikey4444]

Vulcan...than we agree....he resigned for the good of his Party.....not because of the info that has come out overnight.

But for Teresa to lose one her most important Ministers, it say a great deal about how her grip on the Party, as its Leader, leaves a lot to be desired.

[youngmafbog]

Says even more about the loathsome Leadsom.

Thank goodness she did not get PM she is clearly not suitable.

[albaqwerty]

I know we're discussing Fallon here, but am sure there was a famous actress who murmured
'is that a gun in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me?'

A lewd remark from a female!! well, there's a thing.

I think he told Mrs May that he had done worse than make 'lewd' remarks but didnt put that info in his resignation letter.

[Khandro]

Whatever next ? now Kenneth Branagh reveals Judi Dench exposed herself to him in dressing room !

[Togo]

Haha, was he complaining that it wasn't Helen Mirren? What next, Jezza complaining that Diane Abbot exposed herself to him? That I could understand. :))

[jourdain2]

I agree with Prudie, some time ago. Only yesterday an elderly chap we met in the supermarket said how young I looked to be Mrs J2 and that I was pretty. I replied 'Thank you, kind sir' beamed and felt good for ages. Was I supposed to be offended? This is getting ridiculous.

[andy-hughes]

jourdain2 - // I agree with Prudie, some time ago. Only yesterday an elderly chap we met in the supermarket said how young I looked to be Mrs J2 and that I was pretty. I replied 'Thank you, kind sir' beamed and felt good for ages. Was I supposed to be offended? This is getting ridiculous. //

I am sure you know the difference between overt sexual overtones in a comment from a boss or colleague, and courtly compliment from an elderly stranger - don't you?

[andy-hughes]

When I hear about behaviour such as that which some men are being made ashamed of, I remember as a child reading a novel in which a father gave advice to his son about his behaviour at his new boarding school. Paraphrasing - it was something like "Never do or say anything you would not like your mother and sister to see or hear ...".

It was good advice when it was written, and it's good advice now.

The novel was Tom Brown's Schooldays, and it was published in 1857.

Plus ca change ...

[Jackdaw33]

It was Mae West who made the 'pistol in your pocket' remark.

[Prudie]

"I am sure you know the difference between overt sexual overtones in a comment from a boss or colleague..." I sure do but 99% of the time it wouldn't bother me. Certainly not enough to drag it through the media or employers. And as others have said I believe, making such a furore over such comments gets the real abuse watered down and washed away on the bandwagon.

[Khandro]

Michael Fallon: Touches a woman's knee, (who says it was nothing) and Resigns.
Keith Vaz: Cheats on wife with 2 rent boys & offers to buy cocaine. Elected to Labour NEC.

Is there a lesson to be learnt there?