Overview
Sir Michael Cathel Fallon KCB (born 14 May 1952) is a British Conservative politician who has served as the Member of Parliament for Sevenoaks. He is best known for his role as Secretary of State for Defence from 2014 until 2017 and for membership of the government's National Security Council. He has also held senior roles within the Conservative Party and the parliamentary party leadership.
Political career and offices
Fallon's parliamentary and ministerial career spans party organisational posts, frontbench responsibilities and ministerial appointments. He has been an active figure on issues relating to business, industry and defence, and has often taken part in debates on national security and procurement. His official parliamentary profile and further information are listed on his official profile and on the Conservative Party website.
Key roles and responsibilities
- Member of Parliament for Sevenoaks, representing local and national interests.
- Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party, involved in party organisation and outreach.
- Secretary of State for Defence (2014–2017), overseeing defence policy, armed forces welfare and procurement priorities.
- Participant in the National Security Council, contributing to cross-departmental security decisions.
As Defence Secretary (2014–2017)
During his tenure at the Ministry of Defence, Fallon focused on maintaining the operational capability of the armed forces while managing constrained budgets and complex procurement programmes. His responsibilities included supporting deployed forces, advising on defence commitments abroad and working with international partners on security cooperation. The period saw continued attention to equipment programmes, cyber and intelligence issues, and the welfare of service personnel.
Resignation and controversies
In 2017 Fallon resigned from the post of Secretary of State for Defence after accusations of inappropriate behaviour came to public attention. He acknowledged making remarks that were unacceptable and stepped down, saying he did not wish to be a distraction to the government. The episode formed part of a wider public discussion about standards of behaviour in politics and workplace conduct.
Honours, reputation and later activity
Fallon has been recognised with honours reflecting his public service; he holds the title KCB. He is generally regarded as a pragmatic politician with an interest in defence procurement, industrial strategy and constituency matters. After leaving the cabinet he continued to contribute to parliamentary debate and remained active in constituency work and public affairs.
Note: This article summarizes widely known aspects of Michael Fallon's career. For current and detailed records consult his official parliamentary pages and party entries linked above.