Former opposition leader Leanne Castley resigned from the Canberra Liberals, saying she was threatened with assault and bullied.

Castley announced she would and sit in Legislative Assembly as an independent on the crossbench.

“I have simply had enough of being part of an organisation with such a toxic culture,” she said in statement.

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

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

Ms Castley became ACT opposition leader after the party’s 2024 election loss.

However, she stepped down from leading the party in November after her decision to suspend two Liberals from the party room – Peter Cain and her predecessor in the role Elizabeth Lee – created turmoil.

Ms Castley later told ABC Radio the bullying towards her had taken place from when she became opposition leader.

“It’s not one person, it’s not one issue, it’s been an 18-month campaign,” she said.

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

Liberal leader Mark Parton denied the party had a toxic culture but said the organisation had treated bullying concerns.

“I don’t condone bullying, intimidation or inappropriate behaviour of any kind,” he told ABC Radio.

Castley said the decision to leave the Liberals had been difficult , “but it’s the right one for me and for Yerrabi.”

Ms Castley informed Parton of her decision before making the Wednesday morning announcement.

“Last week saw the introduction of coercive control legislation, something that I had worked on for years,” Ms Castley said. “That’s what the community wants to see from its politicians and that’s what I want to spend my time on.”

Ms Castley will join the crossbench and sit as an independent for the rest of the term. –with AAP