It's all about sexual harassment

On both sides of the Atlantic there's only one story that's really hitting the headlines: sexual harassment in the workplace, sexual harassment in politics, sexual harassment under the dinner table, sexual harassment in the back of a taxi, sexual harassment everywhere. It's overbearing men versus vulnerable women. The whole topic, buried for decades, probably for centuries, must be making every man think, oh my god, was that party kiss one step too far, did that hug last too long, was that flirty text "uncomfortable" for the recipient, was that sexy joke unpalatable? There is no way I'm attempting to belittle what is now going on. If a woman, any woman, young, middle-aged or older, has had a truly bad experience with a man trying to maul her or, much worse, actually force himself on her and demand a sex act or worse worse still commit rape, then let that man be damned. An overbearing, aggressive, demanding male who thinks he has the right to get what he wants from a woman is despicable and deserves punishment. The trouble with this current sexual harassment mayhem is that it all started with the worst possible example: Harvey Weinstein. Well actually it started with certain executives on Fox News who got sacked for their disgraceful conduct over many years. But Harvey Weinstein and his horrific attempts, allegedly, to trap young Hollywood actresses into submission set the marker for what has been running ever since. The smell of a witch hunt is never pleasant when it produces bigger and bigger headlines until it's not difficult to jump to the conclusion that men are basically a disgusting species. This is pretty well what British actress Emma Thompson implied in a BBC Newsnight programme a week or so back. Now, as a member of the male species, I have to counter that argument. Men, I agree, can be pretty stupid when they spot a deliciously attractive woman across a crowded room. But there's a helluva difference between the man making a fool of himself when he tries, unsuccessfully, to chat her up, and the Harvey Weinsteins of this world who believe that because they are big and powerful they expect women to perform any sex act they fancy at the time. The UK defence secretary, Sir Michael Fallon, has resigned his Cabinet post because, as he said, his behaviour towards women had fallen short of what is expected of a minister who is responsible for the country's armed forces. He, of course, was the politician who put his hand on the knee of a female journalist several times under the table during a dinner. Good for Julia Hartley-Brewer, the journalist involved, who warned him he would get a punch in the face if he did it again. It made Fallon look a proper charlie, well, rather seedy actually. He resigned because he knew there were other women who had received his unwanted attentions. So an honourable resignation but for dishonourable reasons. There may well be other ministers and/or male MPs who have crossed the line. But, again, provided we're not talking Harvey Weinstein, let's not get so worked up that every man who has been stupid enough to push his luck with a member of the female sex gets publicly lynched. Julia Hartley-Brewer, a former colleague on The Times, got it spot on. A threatened punch in the face or elsewhere should do the trick.