Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John has taken leave and is vowing to clear his name after his party colleagues raised allegations of inappropriate comments towards women.

The 32-year-old WA senator is accused by Green party members of concerning behaviour in the presence of women, with claims spanning almost a decade from 2017 to 2025.

A letter sent to Greens leader David Shoebridge from seven Greens members contained accusations that Shoebridge said the party would take “extremely seriously”.

“As leader I want to make it clear that the integrity of the complaints process is essential,” Shoebridge said.

“In the circumstances, Senator Steele-John has requested leave from the party room, and I have accepted it.”

The senator will self-refer matters outlined in the letter to an independent complaints process.

Steele-John flatly rejected the allegations which he said were made without specifics.

“I utterly reject this characterisation of me, which tries to assert I am someone I am not,” he said.

“Any allegation of this nature is extremely serious and must be treated accordingly. If someone has made an allegation, I am prepared to address it.

“I have referred this matter to the WA Greens, so that a fair, independent process can be commissioned that upholds the principles of natural justice and ensures procedural fairness for everyone involved.”

The Greens leader said he was only told about the allegations against the senator in recent days and accepted the leave of absence from  Steele-John earlier in the week once he was made aware.

“I’ve dealt with it with the urgency which I think is appropriate,” Shoebridge told reporters in Canberra.

“I will not be engaging in a running commentary on the matter, because it is going to a fair and independent and timely process … Senator Steele-John is entitled to that process.”

Steele-John entered parliament in 2017 when he was 23 and is the party’s spokesperson for disability and mental health, leading a campaign against NDIS cuts.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the letter was sent by seven party members to Shoebridge on Tuesday night, demanding an investigation.

“These allegations all concern his behaviour in the presence of women. We are aware of multiple women who have taken up roles or volunteered in the party, who because of these allegations, have been warned not to … be alone with him,” the authors stated.

“These warnings have come from inside and outside the party, demonstrating that knowledge of his alleged reputation extends beyond party membership and out into the community.”

The SMH said the signatories included five current and former staffers and two active branch members whom it had chosen not to name.

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-with AAP