Was This The Reason Sir Michael Fallon Quit?

A female journalist reported Sir Michael Fallon to Downing Street for attempting to lunge at her and kiss her, it has emerged.

The Observer reported that a call to No 10 from Ms Merrick was the 'last straw' for Theresa May, who forced him to resign.

Jane Merrick alleged that the former Defence Secretary tried to kiss her on the lips after a lunch in 2003.

She claimed she decided to formally complain after seeing similar allegations come to light, the newspaper said.

Writing about the encounter, which took place when she was a 29-year-old junior political reporter at the Daily Mail, Ms Merrick said:

"I felt humiliated, ashamed."

"Was I even guilty that maybe I had led him on in some way by drinking with him? After years of having a drink with so many other MPs who have not acted inappropriately towards me, I now know I was not."

The journalist had previously written about the alleged incident but chose not to name Sir Michael.

Sir Michael resigned last week after it emerged he had repeatedly touched Julia Hartley-Brewer on the knee during a dinner.

However, the journalist has made clear that Sir Michael does not see that as the reason he stepped down. 

She said: "Since his resignation, I have exchanged text messages with Sir Michael in which he made it abundantly clear that he does not blame me for his resignation."

Jane Merrick's allegations come as the sexual harassment scandal engulfs Westminster.

Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry said she was ashamed at some of the "disgusting" allegations of sexual abuse in the Labour Party.

Ms Thornberry, who said she had experienced inappropriate behaviour, told the BBC: "Some of the things that I have heard in the last week have been so disgusting and I am ashamed that this could happen in the Labour Party."

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell called for party leaders to agree new independent procedures when they meet next week to discuss how to deal with sexual harassment claims.