Former NSW opposition leader Luke Foley won't proceed with legal action against the ABC and a journalist who says he sexually harassed her, saying he doesn't want to put everyone through a protracted court battle.
Mr Foley resigned as NSW Labor leader earlier in November after ABC journalist Ashleigh Raper alleged he groped her at a 2016 parliamentary Christmas Party.
Upon his resignation, Mr Foley threatened to sue Ms Raper and the public broadcaster for defamation but on Wednesday confirmed to AAP he no longer planned to proceed.
Luke Foley speaks stepped down as NSW Opposition Leader this month. Source: AAP
"It's in nobody's interests for this matter to be the subject of long-running court proceedings, and I won't put everyone through this," Mr Foley told AAP.
The former leader denies the allegations and initially said he would launch defamation proceedings, a move that disappointed senior colleagues.
Journalist Ashleigh Raper. Source: Twitter
His deputy Michael Daley and Labor's highest-ranking female MP Jodi McKay threw their support behind Ms Raper.
Mr Daley said Ms Raper "did the right thing" in coming forward even though Mr Foley had repeatedly and strongly denied the claims.
"She's a credible person and I believe her," he told reporters in Sydney.
"Ashleigh Raper did not deserve to be treated that way."
As the party considered moves to disendorse him on Friday, Mr Foley wrote to its general secretary saying he would run out his term and not seek re-election.
