Fallon: the image-conscious minister felled by indiscretions

Sir Michael Fallon’s appointment as defence secretary in July 2014 was accompanied by a sigh of relief on the part of most British defence correspondents.After almost three years of his predecessor Philip Hammond – dull, uncommunicative, barely able to conceal his disdain for journalists – Fallon held the promise of being more interesting, more likely to engage with the media, to gossip and occasionally be indiscreet.On RAF flights, there is no drink unless the defence secretar