TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan People’s Party member Mao Chia-ching (毛嘉慶) withdrew from the party’s Taoyuan city council primary on Tuesday amid an ongoing sexual harassment investigation.

Mao announced on Facebook that he would no longer seek the party’s nomination for the Zhongli District city council race, per NOWNews. He said he joined the TPP to contribute to the party, but that the atmosphere he had worked for no longer exists.

Mao said he would take full responsibility for his actions but argued that some of the accusations against him were unfounded. He added that media headlines centered on the allegations had caused harm to his family.

TPP Disciplinary Committee Chair Li Wei-hua (李偉華) urged all parties on Tuesday to refrain from commenting publicly until the investigation concludes, per Mirror Media. The party said the Zhongli District primary has been suspended.

TPP Chair Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) reiterated the party’s zero-tolerance policy on sexual harassment, per TVBS. He said that to protect the victim’s privacy and comply with the law, the victim’s identity would not be disclosed.

TPP Taichung Branch Spokesperson Liu Chin-yu (劉芩妤) later identified herself as the victim. She called on the public to respect victims’ privacy and not turn their suffering into political tools, per TVBS. She said she was unwilling to tolerate improper behavior and to conceal wrongdoing for the sake of a perceived greater good.

Mao’s primary rival, Lin Jiao-yin (林昭印), criticized the timing of the party’s announcement, noting that the primary survey was scheduled for Wednesday, per Liberty Times. Commenting on Mao’s withdrawal, Lin said the departure of any member is a loss to the party and urged the TPP to facilitate negotiations within the primary process.

Another primary contender, Chang Ching-chin (張清俊), who reported Mao’s alleged behavior, said it was his responsibility to alert the party to improper conduct. He criticized the TPP for failing to safeguard the identities of the victim and whistleblower, as well as the contents of internal reports.