A Greens senator is taking leave from parliament, saying pressure surrounding a misconduct probe has left him "kept out by allegations of allegations".
Jordon Steele-John faces an independent investigation into several allegations surrounding inappropriate behaviour toward women between 2017 and 2025.
He has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
The WA senator said he would heed a "growing chorus" opposing his appearing on Senate estimates committees next week.
"I have decided not to return next week and will instead focus on the independent and timely investigation I hope is soon commenced by the Greens WA," he said in a statement on Friday night.
Senator Steele-John said he would have immediately withdrawn from parliament "had an allegation or complaint been made against me".
"The precedent has now been set: any MP can be kept out of parliament by allegations of allegations," he said.
Tensions flared on Monday as Senator Steele-John maintained he was not on self-imposed leave, despite a statement from party leader David Shoebridge saying he was.
Senator Steele-John accused him of trying to oust him from the partyroom.
Senator Shoebridge understood there had been an agreement Senator Steele-John would take leave, a spokesperson for the Greens leader said.
"Senator Shoebridge remains of the opinion that leave is appropriate under the circumstances and reiterates that this in no way prejudges any of the matters being referred to an inquiry commissioned by the WA Greens," the spokesperson said.
Senator Steele-John said the circumstances made it reasonable for people to assume he was guilty and claimed factionalism was at play.
Senator Shoebridge, who replaced Larissa Waters as leader in September, has also denied any prior knowledge of allegations about his colleague.
Seven Greens members demanded an investigation into Senator Steele-John's conduct in the presence of women in a letter penned to Senator Shoebridge and first reported by Nine Newspapers.
Senator Steele-John previously said the letter's authors had not outlined any allegations in detail but vowed to participate in any investigation into specific incidents.
He claimed it was no coincidence the letter was written the day after the party agreed on a timeline for the next preselection.
He denied any knowledge of an alleged instance of sexual harassment at a 2024 Greens campaign event, saying "I don't know how I could respond, or how anyone would begin to investigate it".