Filthy little fecker.

[canta_brian]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41838682

It would appear he Fallon his sword at last.

[Which Tyler]

Only resigning from the cabinet, so no by-election being triggered.

[Digby]

Which begs the question why was his behaviour below the standard of a cabinet minister but acceptable for an MP? Other than it being claimed as acceptable in the 80s

[Stones of granite]

Which begs the question why was his behaviour below the standard of a cabinet minister but acceptable for an MP? Other than it being claimed as acceptable in the 80s

Perhaps, in the context of a SoS for Defence at a time when their are emerging stories of sexual impropriety on board RN submarines?
Alternatively, he may fear there are other stories waiting to break and he is reducing his target profile.

[Which Tyler]

He also says that "most" of the allegations are untrue, which means that he's involved in multiple allegations, and that at least one of them is true, and bad enough to resign over.

As for acceptable for a minister, but not cabinet minister - that's pure fudge to protect the Tory "majority"

[Mellsblue]

From what I’ve read, he is spinning it - the knee touching/grabbing/fondling - as holding himself to the same standards as those expected of military personnel. There’s also rumours that there is more to come and he going before they come to light.

The sad little man who represents Sheffield Hallam must be delighted this has stolen his thunder.

[OptimisticJock]

he's clearly never been on a night out with a recce pl.

[fivepointer]

He's going before some serious shit hits the fan.

But i dont get this - "He told the BBC that what had been "acceptable 15, 10 years ago is clearly not acceptable now".

bad behaviour wasnt acceptable 10-15 years ago either. fact is now it looks like you will be less likely to get away with it.

[Stones of granite]

he's clearly never been on a night out with a recce pl.

Not many of us have...

[Mellsblue]

he's clearly never been on a night out with a recce pl.

Not many of us have...

Thankfully

[Digby]

As for acceptable for a minister, but not cabinet minister - that's pure fudge to protect the Tory "majority"

Yes it is. Though equally I don't see Labour in a rush to trigger by-elections where their MPs have behaved badly. A plague on both their houses

[OptimisticJock]

he's clearly never been on a night out with a recce pl.

Not many of us have...

Never lived.

[Mellsblue]

As for acceptable for a minister, but not cabinet minister - that's pure fudge to protect the Tory "majority"

Yes it is. Though equally I don't see Labour in a rush to trigger by-elections where their MPs have behaved badly. A plague on both their houses

Whilst Lord Rennard still resides in the Lords and plenty a male MSP gets away with all sorts of stuff in the Sports and Social. As with expenses no party will come out if this well.

[Mellsblue]

Has everyone seen the leaked, unredacted list? If true, it would seem Kwasi Kwarteng has been a busy boy. Though why having consensual relationship is deemed as unacceptable behaviour is beyond me. Boris also seems disappointingly underrepresented.

[SerjeantWildgoose]

he's clearly never been on a night out with a recce pl.

Or a night in with the Mortars!!!

[SerjeantWildgoose]

he's clearly never been on a night out with a recce pl.

Not many of us have...

Never lived.

As an erstwhile OC Recce, I can say that nights out with Ginge, Garfield and Boring Bob left a lot to be desired. I had more fun being mortared in Baghdad.

[Which Tyler]

Has everyone seen the leaked, unredacted list? If true, it would seem Kwasi Kwarteng has been a busy boy. Though why having consensual relationship is deemed as unacceptable behaviour is beyond me. Boris also seems disappointingly underrepresented.

Nope, and no particular desire to see it TBH.

As for things like consensual relationships counting - I get the impression that the list is basically the party whips' dirt they hold to "encourage" MPs to keep in line, and so that they can be prepared if any scandal breaks or "blackmail" is tried. So anything that could embarassing the MP is on there.

[OptimisticJock]

Not many of us have...

Never lived.

As an erstwhile OC Recce, I can say that nights out with Ginge, Garfield and Boring Bob left a lot to be desired. I had more fun being mortared in Baghdad.

Don't tar all recce pl by their standards.

[Mellsblue]

Has everyone seen the leaked, unredacted list? If true, it would seem Kwasi Kwarteng has been a busy boy. Though why having consensual relationship is deemed as unacceptable behaviour is beyond me. Boris also seems disappointingly underrepresented.

Nope, and no particular desire to see it TBH.

As for things like consensual relationships counting - I get the impression that the list is basically the party whips' dirt they hold to "encourage" MPs to keep in line, and so that they can be prepared if any scandal breaks or "blackmail" is tried. So anything that could embarassing the MP is on there.

You don’t want to see exhibit A that has caused this fuss?!?!? To see the facts rather than the spin each party and newspaper will put on it.

It is a leaked list from whips office to help keep people in line. However, it seems to have quickly morphed in to a definitive list of Westminster sex pests. Something it most definitely isn’t.

There is also some delicious irony that the keepers of said list are those who have most benfitted from it.

[Which Tyler]

Correct. It's a list of allegations a good half of which are likely untrue, and almost entirely of no particular interest to me.
If there's anything truly explosive in there, I'll start paying attention once the victims start coming forward, corroborating things and pressing charges.

It comes as no surprise whatsoever to me that people in power are a bunch of arseholes, given that that's my default position.

[onlynameleft]

Correct. It's a list of allegations a good half of which are likely untrue, and almost entirely of no particular interest to me.
If there's anything truly explosive in there, I'll start paying attention once the victims start coming forward, corroborating things and pressing charges.

It comes as no surprise whatsoever to me that people in power are a bunch of arseholes, given that that's my default position.

One at least is an allegation that one MP has 'impregnated' his secretary who he lives with and has a child with. Living over the brush! Never been so insulted etc etc

[kk67]

Correct. It's a list of allegations a good half of which are likely untrue,

Not sure about that. These are well educated, adult women and men sharing their experiences whilst working for these scum bags.

[kk67]

Michael Portillo was on TW last night. He was bemoaning the loss to the art world of the brilliance of Kevin Spacey.
He than went on to suggest art should be separated from the individual. What a spectacularly pretentious knut.