LONDON (Reuters)-
British Prime Minister Theresa May was forced to appoint a new defense minister on Thursday after her ally, Michael Fallon, resigned over a sexual harassment scandal, triggered a request to end in Parliament.
Just hours after Fallon resigned for past actions, may appointed Gavin Williamson, 41, who said "below our high standards for the armed forces ", the rising star of her ruling Conservative Party.
After losing a parliamentary majority in the June election, her position weakened, and many conservatives accused her of having to act quickly.
The growing harassment scandal could further weaken her if other charges against conservatives, including those against her deputy, Damian Green, forced her to resign.
Williamson rose rapidly in the Conservative party and may elect him last year as the party's chief whip in Parliament --
His task is to maintain the voting discipline of the legislation.
As the chief whip, Williamson is known for his tenacity and introduction to the legislator of his pet tarantula Cronus, whose name is named after the god of time, according
But according to his online profile, he had no previous experience with the armed forces, and some conservative lawmakers openly questioned the appointment.
Sarah Wollaston wrote on Twitter: "Sometimes, when someone offers a job, it is better to suggest that another person is more experienced and more suitable for the role.
Williamson arrived at the Defense Department on Thursday without saying anything. he took the role in May's difficult time, since the June election, who relies on the support of a small political party in Northern Ireland to secure a parliamentary majority.
Fallon resigned after apologizing for repeatedly touching the knee of a female radio host in 2002, another blow.
According to conservative sources, Fallon is a trusted minister who can respond strongly to criticism from the government.
The British Parliament is the latest institution involved in the sex scandal after allegations of abuse against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein prompted thousands of men and women to share stories of misconduct.
Scotland's Conservative Party leader, Ruth Davidson, says it's time to break the political culture in which powerful people "use power to ask for things from others"
"The dam is broken now, these men.
Male-dominated occupation
"Her dressing room culture is already prevalent and it's all a little funny and has to stop," she told the BBC . ".
Allegations of sexual abuse include a senior party member of the opposition Labor Party accusing an activist of rape, parliamentary aides and researchers drafted an unconfirmed detail of a series of "sex pests" on the list.
May ordered an investigation into a report that said one of her ministers asked a female secretary to buy sex toys and accused her deputy, Green, of not having sex with a young woman.
He denied it.