Michael Fallon

Sir Michael Cathel Fallon KCB MP (born 14 May 1952) is a British politician who served as Secretary of State for Defence from 2014 to 2017 when he resigned over his inappropriate conduct. A member of the Conservative Party, he served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Sevenoaks from 1997 to 2019, having previously served as MP for Darlington from 1983 to 1992.

2014

 * The Germans haven't seen our proposal yet, and we haven't seen our proposal yet. That is still being worked on at the moment to see what we can do to prevent whole towns and communities being swamped by huge numbers of migrant workers. In some areas, particularly on the east coast, towns do feel under siege from large numbers of migrant workers and people claiming benefits. It is quite right that we look at that.
 * "Towns 'feel under siege' from migrants, minister warns", BBC News (26 October 2014)

2015

 * We're all Eurosceptics now. I don't see any Euro-fanatics around the Cabinet table.
 * "EU referendum: We're all Eurosceptics now - Michael Fallon", BBC News (18 October 2015).

2016

 * At the moment our defence and security rests on Nato, not on the EU, but the EU adds to that security...The EU can do things that Nato cannot. It is through the EU that you exchange criminal records and passenger records and work together on counter-terrorism...We need the collective weight of the EU when you are dealing with Russian aggression or terrorism. You need to be part of these big partnerships.
 * "EU referendum: Leaving EU 'big gamble' for UK security", BBC News (22 February 2016).


 * [It is up to the British people to decide whether] we are safer and stronger inside the EU or take what is a big gamble and leave to what is a rather uncertain future.
 * EU referendum: Leaving EU 'big gamble' for UK security, BBC News (22 February 2016).


 * Questions were asked about the platforms he [Sadiq Khan] shared with various extremists, and those questions were asked by not just by us but the media too. Even on your own programme.
 * Your own Andrew Neil on a BBC programme said of his appearance with Suliman Gani, a supporter of Daesh Islamic State, that he appeared with him on a platform nine times. And Sadiq Khan said he regretted giving the impression he supported the views of terrorists. Those questions were put to him and he answered them.
 * "Michael Fallon Defends Zac Goldmsith's 'Racist' London Mayoral Campaign Against Sadiq Khan", The Huffington Post (7 May 2016).
 * Comment later retracted, see "Tory Minister Michael Fallon Apologises For Wrongly Accusing Suliman Gani Of Supporting ISIS", The Huffington Post (11May 2016).


 * Our security rests on Nato. No one seriously disputes that. Britain will never be part of an EU army.
 * "EU referendum: Ex-army chief Lord Guthrie switches to Leave" BBC News (18 June 2016).
 * See Common Security and Defence Policy on the EU's defence policy


 * We have a veto on all EU defence matters and we would oppose any move to create one. In fact, I don't know any European defence minister who wants a European army.
 * "EU referendum: Ex-army chief Lord Guthrie switches to Leave", BBC News (18 June 2016).


 * But we're going to continue to oppose any idea of an EU army, or an EU army headquarters which would simply undermine Nato. Nato must remain the cornerstone of our defence and the defence of Europe.
 * "Michael Fallon: UK will oppose plans for EU army", BBC News (27 September 2016).


 * We agree that Europe needs to do more, it's facing terrorism, it's facing migration, but simply duplicating or undermining Nato is the wrong way to do it.
 * "Michael Fallon: UK will oppose plans for EU army", BBC News (27 September 2016).


 * What I can absolutely rule out is that we will not be asking companies to list or publish or name or identify in any way the number of foreign workers they have. We're going to consult with business, and the consultation document hasn't even been published yet, on how we can do more encourage companies - to incentivise them - to look first at the British labour market. And to offer these jobs to British people, which is what the British people would expect, before they import labour more cheaply from abroad... That would mean, for example, asking companies just simply to report their numbers, which we wouldn't publish, we wouldn't identify anybody."
 * "UK firms 'won't have to list foreign workers', says Fallon", BBC News (9 October 2016).

2017

 * I can assure the House that the capability and effectiveness of of the United Kingdom's independent nuclear deterrent is not in doubt. The government has absolute confidence in our deterrent and in the Royal Navy.
 * "Trident: Defence Secretary refuses to give test missile details", BBC News (23 January 2017).
 * A test of a Trident missile (without its nuclear payload) had failed in June 2016.


 * We do not give operational details of the demonstration and shake-down operation of one of our submarines conducting a test with one of our Trident missiles
 * "Trident: Defence Secretary refuses to give test missile details", BBC News (23 January 2017)


 * [Gibraltar residents] made it very clear they do not want to live under Spanish rule
 * "Brexit: Lord Howard accused of 'sabre-rattling' over Gibraltar", BBC News (2 April 2017).
 * See Status of Gibraltar and Spain–United Kingdom relations.


 * I think everybody wants to see an agreement in the end that does respect what the British people voted for last year - makes sure that our cooperation with Europe continues, our trade with Europe continues, our security cooperation with Europe continues.
 * "Hard Brexit not backed by most MPs, remain campaigners say", BBC News (11 June 2017).


 * The public voted to leave the European Union. That means freedom of movement has to end.
 * "Brexit: Businesses warn over 'UK workers first' proposal", BBC News (6 September 2017).


 * Equally we have to make sure that British companies are also prepared to train up British workers. The public are very clear, they want to see immigration not stopped but brought properly under control.
 * "Brexit: Businesses warn over 'UK workers first' proposal", BBC News (6 September 2017).

Many of these have been false but I realise that in the past I have fallen below the high standards that we require of the armed forces which I have the privilege to represent. I have therefore reflected on my position in government and I am resigning as defence secretary.
 * In recent days allegations have been made about MPs’ conduct, including my own.
 * "Michael Fallon resigns as defence secretary as new sleaze claims emerge", The Times (2 November 2017).
 * Fallon had repeatedly placed his hand on the knee of the journalist Julia Hartley-Brewer at the Conservative Party conference in 2002. This was not the only, or first reported, incident of inappropriate conduct involving Fallon.

2018

 * This is not a good deal and we need a better deal
 * "Theresa May's Brexit deal is doomed - Sir Michael Fallon", BBC News (27 November 2018).


 * My fear is that this deal gives us the worst of all worlds.
 * "Theresa May's Brexit deal is doomed - Sir Michael Fallon", BBC News (27 November 2018).

2019

 * All those involved should be investigated now to find out who this leaker is. Ministers are subject to the Official Secrets Act just like anybody else. It is an offence to divulge secret information from the most secret of all government bodies, which is the National Security Council. It has got to be stopped.
 * "Huawei row: Inquiry to be held into National Security Council leak", BBC News (25 April 2019).


 * The talks are clearly not going anywhere. If they are going to include permanent membership of a customs union then frankly we would be better off staying in the EU then we would have a voice in the trade arrangements that are being negotiated. We can't say we are leaving the EU then half stay in it.
 * "Brexit: PM's negotiator to explore changes to future EU relations", BBC News (14 May 2019).


 * [No deal is the] ultimate fall back [and needs to be prepared for] so that our partners are convinced that this is a deadly serious negotiation
 * "Former Brexit chief: We should all worry about no deal" BBC News (8 July 2019).


 * We need some alternative arrangements for Northern Ireland - some of that technology is already in place - we need the right to exit the backstop if the negotiations fail, we need some improvements to the political declaration. These aren't the biggest things, but what they do require is some optimism and ambition and above all some energy.  We will have a fresh team, a fresh prime minister and there is no reason at all why this can't be done in the next three months.
 * "Former Brexit chief: We should all worry about no deal", BBC News (8 July 2019).


 * [Sacking rebels] sends the wrong message to Remainers
 * "Fallon: Sacking Tory rebels 'sends wrong message to Remainers'", BBC News (6 September 2019)


 * [It is] very important that we take those who voted Remain - and nearly half the country voted Remain - we do try and take them with us.
 * "Fallon: Sacking Tory rebels 'sends wrong message to Remainers'", BBC News (6 September 2019).