Conservative MP Anna Soubry confirmed Michael Fallon resigned from the Cabinet after it emerged that he had allegedly "lunged" at a journalist and tried to kiss her.
Political journalist Jane Merrick contacted Downing Street hours before his abrupt departure claiming that he had tried to kiss her after a lunch when she was a junior reporter in 2003.
Speaking on the Andrew Marr show on Sunday, Ms Soubry discussed allegations of sexual harassment that have been made against a number of MPs over the last two weeks.
The Conservative MP said that a “trial by the newspapers” was taking place in regard to the allegations that have been made against First Secretary of State, Damian Green, claiming pornography was found on his laptop. He strongly denies the claims.
She said this should not be the case. Ms Soubry explained that Ms Merrick had complained about the incident involving Sir Michael to Harriet Harman and herself and that she then informed Number 10 about the incident.
She said that there was not a system in place to handle situations like Ms Merrick’s.
Ms Soubry said: “People must have, today, a system where they don’t have to go to the press in order to make their complaint or happen to find some MP’s telephone number who they know will take these matters seriously.”
She said that she thought that the Prime Minister Theresa May must lead on this issue and give people coming forward to make a complaint reassurance.
Ms Soubry added: “People must be able to make their complaints so that we stop the sort of behaviour that Jane and others have had to endure for years."
She went on to discuss the role of party whips in Parliament and said that Mrs May should find out what information they have on MPs.
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Ms Soubry went on: “All the stuff that they know must be given to the Prime Minister and we must do things properly, and not behind the scenes, in some instances covering up, which is totally unacceptable.
"But also, when there are allegations, they go to the police or some other body immediately, so we don't have people's reputations trashed in the newspapers.
"Allegations of a criminal nature must go straight to the police."
Ms Soubry’s comments on the show received applause from a number of people on Twitter.
One user wrote: “Anna, was very impressed with your performance today on AM. You spoke with authority and integrity. Thank you."
Another wrote: "Go #annasoubry she is talking for the many! Not the few to misquote but in a good way as this is politics overall and beyond x"
Currently five MPs have resigned from their ministerial posts or been suspended from their parties due to allegations of sexual harassment.
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