The Defence Secretary's Wandering Hands
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Dark Side of West Wales
Age: 85
Posts: 161
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Defence Secretary's Wandering Hands
I saw on the on the BBC News this morning that Michael Fallon had been forced to confess that he had put his hand on the knee of a reporter whilst at dinner some years ago. WTF is this PC World coming to when Government Ministers are forced to own up to such a trivial event? Where are they going to draw a line under all this nonsense?
Now being very close to my ninth decade I can look back on my life and the dealings I had with the fair sex and realise that that under current rules I have been a very naughty boy indeed! Yes, I do accept that some of my behaviour was by todays mores a bit OTT but I have no recollection of the ladies actually complaining at the time. In fact I am sure that many of them liked the attention I gave them. I might add that I always took no to mean exactly that, no.
Mr Fallon I may not agree with all your policy's but you sure have my greatest sympathy on this one!
Now being very close to my ninth decade I can look back on my life and the dealings I had with the fair sex and realise that that under current rules I have been a very naughty boy indeed! Yes, I do accept that some of my behaviour was by todays mores a bit OTT but I have no recollection of the ladies actually complaining at the time. In fact I am sure that many of them liked the attention I gave them. I might add that I always took no to mean exactly that, no.
Mr Fallon I may not agree with all your policy's but you sure have my greatest sympathy on this one!
Last edited by DODGYOLDFART; 31st Oct 2017 at 09:59.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 33,064
Received 2,937 Likes
on
1,252 Posts
I confess, I have touched a bum many times....... I wipe it most mornings 
I do feel sorry for these people where what was deemed as an innocent encounter is hyped by the media into something more sinister.
I do feel sorry for these people where what was deemed as an innocent encounter is hyped by the media into something more sinister.
Originally Posted by Julia Hartley-Brewer
I have received a number of calls today from newspapers and broadcasters asking me to comment on a claim that I was the victim of sexual harassment by a current Cabinet minister.
I have spoken previously about a Cabinet minister who repeatedly put his hand on my knee during a party conference dinner. I calmly and politely explained to him that, if he did it again, I would “punch him in the face”. He withdrew his hand and that was the end of the matter.
I have had no issues since with the man in question and do not regard the incident as anything but mildly amusing, which is why I have declined to name him. It has also been claimed that the same minister made remarks to me about my breasts. If he did, I certainly don’t recall those comments.
Wild rumours and claims are circulating about many male MPs at Westminster in a media feeding frenzy. I have worked in and around Westminster for 20 years and, as far as I am aware, incidents of genuine harassment involve only a small number of MPs from all parties.
I believe it is absurd and wrong to treat workplace banter and flirting – and even misjudged sexual overtures – between consenting adults as being morally equivalent to serious sexual harassment or assault.
It demeans genuine victims of real offences. Anyone with any allegations against an MP, or anyone else, should speak up now and provide the evidence to ensure any necessary action is taken.
I have not been a victim and I don’t wish to take part in what I believe has now become a Westminster witch hunt.
I have spoken previously about a Cabinet minister who repeatedly put his hand on my knee during a party conference dinner. I calmly and politely explained to him that, if he did it again, I would “punch him in the face”. He withdrew his hand and that was the end of the matter.
I have had no issues since with the man in question and do not regard the incident as anything but mildly amusing, which is why I have declined to name him. It has also been claimed that the same minister made remarks to me about my breasts. If he did, I certainly don’t recall those comments.
Wild rumours and claims are circulating about many male MPs at Westminster in a media feeding frenzy. I have worked in and around Westminster for 20 years and, as far as I am aware, incidents of genuine harassment involve only a small number of MPs from all parties.
I believe it is absurd and wrong to treat workplace banter and flirting – and even misjudged sexual overtures – between consenting adults as being morally equivalent to serious sexual harassment or assault.
It demeans genuine victims of real offences. Anyone with any allegations against an MP, or anyone else, should speak up now and provide the evidence to ensure any necessary action is taken.
I have not been a victim and I don’t wish to take part in what I believe has now become a Westminster witch hunt.
One lady once asked me, "why don't you put your hand on my knee?" I blushed and muttered something to the effect that I would never be so bold, especially as I was under the impression that ladies generally objected.
She replied, "Oh no, I really enjoy having my knee felt, so please go ahead to your heart's content."
She replied, "Oh no, I really enjoy having my knee felt, so please go ahead to your heart's content."
Guest
Posts: n/a
I recall a young WRAF who was complaining that we were always ogling her rather shapely legs. "Look", I said, "the day will come when men no longer wish to look at your legs - and are you looking forward to that day ?" She had the grace to shake her head.
When I was training as a schoolteacher one of our lecturers was a very pleasant woman who could best be described as "touchy, feely". During conversation she would often put a hand on your arm or shoulder. There was absolutely nothing sexual in this, it was just her way of being friendly. She once told us that she would often give an upset child a hug at school, but said that as men we should probably avoid this as it might well lead to accusations of sexual assault.
The point is, as well as women there are many men whose instinct is to touch, but in a completely non sexual way, and I fear that those men are now going to get dragged into the current hysteria. Last week the MP who wrote requesting the Brexit views of university lecturers was accused of McCarthyism, which was just ridiculous, but I fear that the current outrage which is being whipped up by the news media is far more akin to the anti communist witch trials of the 50s.
The point is, as well as women there are many men whose instinct is to touch, but in a completely non sexual way, and I fear that those men are now going to get dragged into the current hysteria. Last week the MP who wrote requesting the Brexit views of university lecturers was accused of McCarthyism, which was just ridiculous, but I fear that the current outrage which is being whipped up by the news media is far more akin to the anti communist witch trials of the 50s.
I believe it is absurd and wrong to treat workplace banter and flirting – and even misjudged sexual overtures – between consenting adults as being morally equivalent to serious sexual harassment or assault.
It demeans genuine victims of real offences. Anyone with any allegations against an MP, or anyone else, should speak up now and provide the evidence to ensure any necessary action is taken.
I have not been a victim and I don’t wish to take part in what I believe has now become a Westminster witch hunt.
It demeans genuine victims of real offences. Anyone with any allegations against an MP, or anyone else, should speak up now and provide the evidence to ensure any necessary action is taken.
I have not been a victim and I don’t wish to take part in what I believe has now become a Westminster witch hunt.
...well said Ms H-B.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 33,064
Received 2,937 Likes
on
1,252 Posts
I remember working ouside at night on a frosty evening and one of the guys complaining his hands were cold, one of the WRAF engineers with us pulled the front of her overalls open (wearing clothing underneath ) and said, here... warm them on these... then we all burst out laughing.. Just banter and it is when people take things seriously that the fun goes out of the world.
At Halton we had a young stunning WRAF about 17 Yrs old on one of the courses and when we used to put on our overalls in the morning she would peel off her shirt and always wore a tight white fitting teeshirt under it...... you could here a pin drop as the whole workshop just stood and watched this morning ritual, she was totally oblivious of the effect she used to have and eventually one of the instructors approached her and suggested she should use a classroom off one side of the workshops to get ready in the mornings.
At Halton we had a young stunning WRAF about 17 Yrs old on one of the courses and when we used to put on our overalls in the morning she would peel off her shirt and always wore a tight white fitting teeshirt under it...... you could here a pin drop as the whole workshop just stood and watched this morning ritual, she was totally oblivious of the effect she used to have and eventually one of the instructors approached her and suggested she should use a classroom off one side of the workshops to get ready in the mornings.
WTF are these politicians playing at?
We have:
1. BREXIT readiness apparently a shambles [or, if not, nobody gives a monkeys about correcting that impression]
2. The NHS said to be in crisis.
3. The armed services hollowed out and the defence chiefs hanging on for pension rather than forcing attention by resignation
4. Highly respected polls predicting a Corbyn Red Government lined up to make a proper, final attempt at trashing the country
AND ALL THEY CAN THINK ABOUT IS WHAT SOUNDS TO ME AND MY WIFE LIKE MILD TO MODERATELY NAUGHTY HUMAN MALE SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR.
Grow up, you bunch of preening privileged plonkers.
We have:
1. BREXIT readiness apparently a shambles [or, if not, nobody gives a monkeys about correcting that impression]
2. The NHS said to be in crisis.
3. The armed services hollowed out and the defence chiefs hanging on for pension rather than forcing attention by resignation
4. Highly respected polls predicting a Corbyn Red Government lined up to make a proper, final attempt at trashing the country
AND ALL THEY CAN THINK ABOUT IS WHAT SOUNDS TO ME AND MY WIFE LIKE MILD TO MODERATELY NAUGHTY HUMAN MALE SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR.
Grow up, you bunch of preening privileged plonkers.
To be fair - the people "playing at" stuff appear to be the media (no doubt egged on by certain pollies and pressure groups for their own ends).
There's an entire outrage bus driving industry that relies on ishoo politics like this to sustain itself and incidentally prevents the major issues you identify being addressed.
Not that explaining to people that the NHS and other major public expenditure items like pensions are unsustainable on the current basis of provision is something many pollies relish doing....
There's an entire outrage bus driving industry that relies on ishoo politics like this to sustain itself and incidentally prevents the major issues you identify being addressed.
Not that explaining to people that the NHS and other major public expenditure items like pensions are unsustainable on the current basis of provision is something many pollies relish doing....
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: over the rainbow
Age: 75
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When Alan Clark, pure cat mint for women, was a junior defence minister the 'girls' used to form an orderly queue. There is the wonderful story of him bedding not only a Judge's wife, but both his daughters too. The problem with many of today's male politicians is that they lack charm.
After retiring from Parliament Clark subsequently decided to return and sought a new seat. Against all expectations he secured selection as the candidate for Kensington & Chelsea. There was simply no way the good ladies of Chelsea were going to pass up on that opportunity.
After retiring from Parliament Clark subsequently decided to return and sought a new seat. Against all expectations he secured selection as the candidate for Kensington & Chelsea. There was simply no way the good ladies of Chelsea were going to pass up on that opportunity.
"MODERATELY NAUGHTY HUMAN MALE SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR"
For goodness sake when will you dinosaurs realise that a woman's body is not your territory nor is it a subject for manipulation of power and abuse of privilege!
For goodness sake when will you dinosaurs realise that a woman's body is not your territory nor is it a subject for manipulation of power and abuse of privilege!
For goodness sake when will you dinosaurs realise that a woman's body is not your territory nor is it a subject for manipulation of power and abuse of privilege!
The problems we have are towards the PC brigade which, as usual, feels the need to get offended on behalf of someone else - even when that someone else apparently said there's no need to - and blows something trivial and stupid absolutely out of proportions.
When Alan Clark, pure cat mint for women, was a junior defence minister the 'girls' used to form an orderly queue. There is the wonderful story of him bedding not only a Judge's wife, but both his daughters too. The problem with many of today's male politicians is that they lack charm.
After retiring from Parliament Clark subsequently decided to return and sought a new seat. Against all expectations he secured selection as the candidate for Kensington & Chelsea. There was simply no way the good ladies of Chelsea were going to pass up on that opportunity.
After retiring from Parliament Clark subsequently decided to return and sought a new seat. Against all expectations he secured selection as the candidate for Kensington & Chelsea. There was simply no way the good ladies of Chelsea were going to pass up on that opportunity.
WIKI:
While involved in the Matrix Churchill trial he was cited in a divorce case in South Africa, in which it was revealed he had had affairs with Valerie Harkess, the wife of a South African barrister (and part-time junior judge), and her daughters Josephine and Alison.
After sensationalist tabloid headlines, Clark's wife Jane* remarked upon what Clark had called "the coven" with the line: "Well, what do you expect when you sleep with below stairs types?", and referred to her husband as an "S, H, one, T".
* Clark married his wife, Jane, in 1958 when she was 16 and he was 30.