Michael Fallon refuses to say whether more allegations of sexual misconduct are likely to emerge

Sir Michael appears to avoid a question on the subject following his resignation

Sir Michael Fallon has refused to say whether more allegations of sexual misconduct are likely to emerge in the future.

Asked by the BBC’s political editor Laura Kuenssberg whether he feared that would be the case he appeared to avoid the question.

Instead he replied: “Well the culture has changed over the years. What might have been acceptable 15 or ten years ago is clearly not acceptable now.

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

Sir Michael resigned as Defence Secretary, saying his behaviour in the past may have "fallen short" in the wake of harassment allegations swirling around Westminster.

Accusations of sexual misconduct have surrounded Sir Michael in recent days after he admitted to feeling a female journalist’s knee in 2002.

Julia Hartley-Brewer, now a host on talkRADIO, previously chose not to name the Defence Secretary in her account of the incident.

But in a letter to Number 10, Sir Michael said: “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 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.”

In her reply to Sir Michael's resignation letter, Prime Minister Theresa May said: "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."