Buckingham calls NSW Greens 'rotten'

NSW Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham has lashed out at his party, saying it is rewarding "bullying and smearing," after members formally asked him to step down.

NSW Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham speaks to the medi

NSW Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham is refusing to step down from parliament. (AAP)

NSW Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham has called his party "corrupt and rotten" and is rejecting their request that he step down.

The Greens NSW State Delegates Council passed, by consensus, a proposal to request Mr Buckingham vacate his position on the ticket during a meeting on Saturday, weeks after he was accused of sexual misconduct.

It was agreed his presence would stop the party from campaigning effectively ahead of next year's election, a statement said.

The MP has been the subject of a 2011 sexual harassment allegation re-aired under parliamentary privilege by factional rival Jenny Leong, although an independent investigation recommended no adverse findings against him.

Mr Buckingham denies the alleged incident involving a party staffer and another claim by Ms Leong of intimidation.

He said on Sunday that he'd been "one of best environmental campaigners in Australia" and had poured his "heart and soul" into the party.

"But the fact of the matter is, as an organisation, the NSW Greens are corrupt and rotten," he told reporters in Sydney.

He accused the council of abandoning grassroots democracy and due process, and of rewarding the "bullying and smearing behaviour" of his factional opponents.

He said the party's constitution specified that the ticket for election was set by a ballot of all members.

"Over the coming days I'll be assessing my legal options and I'll be making a further announcement," he said.

Mr Buckingham initially said he wouldn't be taking questions but then a reporter asked if he'd be standing aside, he said "no".

Australian Greens leader Richard Di Natale also called last month for Mr Buckingham to resign, saying the issue had gone on for "far too long".


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Source: AAP



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