Basil McCrea
NI21 leader and Lagan Valley MLA Basil McCrea has denied allegations of sexual assault.
On Friday morning the MLA told the BBC: "There obviously are social media rumours and such like, there is a specific allegation coming forward now, and now there is such a thing, then I can go and respond to it.
"In these issues it's important you respond in the appropriate way and I will be looking to see how we can do that."
The allegations have plunged the party into further despair this week after a bust up between Mr McCrea and deputy leader John McCallister over the redesignation of NI21 from 'unionist' to 'other'.
Mr McCallister, MLA for South Down, said the change was an attempt to force him out of the party after he raised concerns about the conduct of Mr McCrea.
In the last few days Tina McKenzie, the party's European candidate, resigned from NI21's executive.
She later tweeted: "So sad that freshpolitics has been let down by old politicians. I have resigned from the Executive but still fully support NI21.
"If elected I will stand but will not work for people who play dirty tricks and dirty politics."