Calgary MP Darshan Kang quits Liberal caucus, denying allegations of sexual harassment

Calgary MP Darshan Kanghas resignedfrom the Liberal caucus amid allegations of sexual harassment.

The Calgary Skyview MP issued a statement Thursday announcinghe was resigning "effective immediately."

"I wish to focus my efforts at this time on clearing my name," he wrote.

"I appreciate that Parliament has provided for due process, and a fair and objective policy for resolving this matter. I also very much appreciate that I am being provided an opportunity to provide my perspective to the independent investigator of the chief human resources office of Parliament," he said.

"However, I do not want my present circumstances to further distract from any of the good work being carried out by my colleagues in the government."

Kanghas denied any wrongdoing.

• Darshan Kang placed on medical leave; denies allegations of sexual harassment
• Liberal MP Darshan Kang accused of sexual harassment

Earlier in the week, Kangtook a medical leave of absence, saying he was under an "incredible amount of stress."

The Hill Times in Ottawa first reported the allegations in early August, tracing the complaint back to an unnamed employee at Kang'sconstituency office in northeast Calgary.

Earlier Thursday, the newspaper also reported allegations by a womanwho worked in Kang's Calgary constituency officewhen he was a MLA inthe Alberta legislature.

A Calgary campaign strategist says it will be hard to recover from a situation like this.

"There are no 12-step recovery programs for sexual harassment," Stephen Carter said.

"We have seen other politicians go off for addiction issues and things like that, outside of their control, but sexual harassment is well within your control. One allegation you can sayis something that never happened or there is a false accusation, but when it becomes a pattern, it becomes almost impossible to survive."

None of the allegations againstKanghas been proven.

Kangwas elected as an MP in 2015.

Before entering federal politics, he was a two-term MLA representing Calgary-McCall. He was first elected in 2008.