LEADER of NI21 Basil McCrea yesterday said he was taking legal action following allegations of inappropriate sexual activity.
It comes as deputy leader John McCallister renewed calls for Mr McCrea to step aside as leader while an investigation was carried out.
The allegations emerged after an unprecedented public fallout between the party founders just days before the election when NI21 redesignated from 'unionist' to 'other'.
Mr McCallister said the decision was "crazy" and an attempt to derail an investigation he had instigated into the claims of inappropriate behaviour.
Mr McCrea, who denies any wrongdoing, revealed he was launching legal proceedings as he arrived at the European election count at the King's Hall in Belfast yesterday.
However, the Lagan Valley assembly member refused to give any details or explain who the legal action was against.
"I would love to talk about this. I'm not shy when it comes to talking about things, but I cannot say anything because I am instigating legal action and my lawyers have said to me, 'you cannot speak'," he said.
"Those matters will be dealt with through the proper channels at some stage in the future and that's all I want to say on the matter.
"There are certainly things that need to be said but because I have instigated legal action on the instruction of my lawyers I cannot talk about that issue."
"I am really proud of all of the people that fought this campaign, all of the candidates, all of the people who supported them, all of the people who voted for them."
Mr McCallister initiated an investigation by independent counselling group Carecall after hearing rumours about his party leader earlier this month.
The South Down MLA said more people had come forward to help with the investigation since its existence emerged last week.
He said he expected the investigation to be finished within two months.
"I think more people have come and offered to speak to the organisation investigating but I don't know how many," he said.
"There have been some that I would have pointed in that direction, but this process is ongoing."
Mr McCallister said he spoke to Mr McCrea in a 25-minute phonecall on Saturday.
He said he rang "mainly to ask how he is" but reiterated that no party leader could function "with all this going on".
"I have said to him in a telephone conversation that he should step aside as much for himself for his own good to allow him to work with this enquiry that I have set up or, if he feels the need to take legal action, to allow him to address all of that and to allow the party to come through the other side of this," he said.