In late October 2017 it was reported that Fallon had repeatedly and inappropriately touched journalist Julia Hartley-Brewer's knee during a dinner in 2002. Hartley-Brewer recalled that after Fallon kept putting his hand on her knee, she "calmly and politely explained to him, that if he did it again, I would punch him in the face". Fallon resigned two days later believing his "previous conduct" towards women had "fallen below" what is acceptable. Hartley-Brewer expressed shock at the resignation, saying: "I didn't feel it was something that needed any further dealing with".