SECRETARY OF STATE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE FLOOR 5, ZONE D, MAIN BUILDING WHITEHALL LONDON SW1A 2HB Ministry “etephone 0207218 s000 Fan 020721 87140 of Defence Erma dalenceseretay-g'oup @ modi \t November 2017 a ae" ‘ ‘Annumber 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 that we require of the ‘Armed Forces that | have the honour to represent. | have reflected on my Position and | am therefore resigning as Defence Secretary. Ithas been a privilege to have led Defence over the past three and a half years. ‘We are close to defeating Daesh terrorism in Iraq and Syria; we have taken a leadership role in NATO; and we have secured a defence budget that will grow ahead of inflation each year. | have the utmost admiration for the professionalism, bravery, and service of the men and women who keep us safe. have been fortunate in the opportunity to serve in the governments of four Prime Ministers, and to have played a part in education reform, including setting up Ofsted, the reduction of red tape for business, and the attraction of new investment into energy generation. | shall continue to support the government and to work hard for my Sevenoaks. constituents, 7 ty Mt 2 ‘THE RT HON SIR MICHAEL FALLON KCB MP ‘The Rt Hon Theresa May MP Prime Minister 10 Downing St London SWIA2AA