Former Canberra Liberals leader leaves party citing 'threat of physical assault'

Leanne Castley says she has "simply had enough" of the Canberra Liberal party's "toxic culture". (ABC News: Callum Flinn)

Former Canberra Liberals leader Leanne Castley says she has experienced "bullying, intimidation, lies and a threat of physical assault" in the past 18 months.

Ms Castley will move to the crossbench and serve the rest of the term as an independent.

Now-Canberra Liberals leader Mark Parton says he does not "condone bullying, intimidation or inappropriate behaviour of any kind".

Former Canberra Liberals leader Leanne Castley has resigned from the party and will join the crossbench, sitting as an independent for the rest of the term.

In a statement, she said she has "simply had enough of being part of an organisation with such a toxic culture".

"In the last 18 months, I have experienced bullying, intimidation, lies, and even a threat of physical assault," she said.

"I can no longer be part of an organisation which tolerates this conduct."

This morning, Ms Castley told 666 ABC Canberra that the bullying, toxicity and "constant undermining" had been prevalent since she was first elected to the leadership in 2024.

"At some point I had to put a line in the sand and say, okay, I'm walking away.

"It's distracting and it takes us away from the job that we're elected to do, and I want that focus back."

She also confirmed she had referred the matter of the physical threat to the party, and was "still considering" police action.

She would not be drawn on naming names, but said the person responsible was still in the party.

"I'm not going to go into that. It's not important, and it's not helpful," Ms Castley said.

Canberra Liberals leader Mark Parton says there was an "an extremely positive vibe" in the party up until this morning. (ABC News: Monte Bovill)

He also denied the party had a culture issue, and said that he did not "condone bullying, intimidation or inappropriate behaviour of any kind".

"I reject the allegations about the toxic culture of the party," he said.

"There are people involved in this pursuit with very strong opinions who want to put those opinions forward, but I'm not sure that that translates to a toxic culture."

Ms Castley said the decision to leave the party was difficult, but "the right one for me and for Yerrabi".

"It's time to just let it go, move forward, and do what I've been elected to do.

Leanne Castley will join the crossbench as an independent. (ABC News: Callum Flinn)

Ms Castley said the recent introduction of coercive control legislation had cemented her perspective.

"When the coercive control