An Australian minister was left red-faced after tweeting about his meeting with Michael Fallon just 10 minutes after the defence secretary resigned his post.
Christopher Pyne, Australia's defence industry ministry, posed for pictures with Mr Fallon following a meeting in London in which the pair discussed "areas of collaboration".
His tweet was not issued until 7.39pm - 10 minutes after the news broke that Fallon, 65, was resigning his post in disgrace.
The news came after it emerged he had allegedly put his hand on the knee of journalist Julia Hartley-Brewer at an event 15 years ago, prompting her to threaten to punch him.
Mr Pyne had said it was "great to catch up" with Mr Fallon, citing "many areas of collaboration" on defence policy between the UK and Australia.
In a resignation statement, Fallon said his past behaviour had "fallen below the high standards we require of the armed forces".
He told the BBC: "What might have been acceptable 15, 10 years ago is clearly not acceptable now."
The Australian minister has not made any further comment.
