Accusations that Toronto MPP Vincent Ke participated in Chinese electoral meddling during the 2019 federal election have caused him to resign from the Progressive Conservative caucus and sit as an independent.

Premier Doug Ford’s office confirmed that Ke, who represents Don Valley North at Queen’s Park, asked to leave the PC caucus “out of an abundance of caution” in a statement released on Friday night.

“While the allegations against Mr. Ke are not proven, they are serious and deserve his full and undivided attention as he works to clear his name,” the statement read. “The Premier agreed and has accepted his resignation effective immediately.”

Reports of Ke’s alleged involvement with China’s election interference during the 2019 federal election came out Friday.

Ke’s resignation came just hours after Ford announced the MPP would assume the position as chair on the Standing Committee on Social Policy.

Calling the allegations about him false and defamatory, in a statement posted to Twitter Ke wrote “I do not want to be a distraction to the government and take away from the good work Premier Ford is doing for the province of Ontario.”

“Therefore, I will be stepping away from the PC Caucus in order to dedicate my time to clearing my name and representing my constituents.”

First elected to the legislature in 2018, Ke had served as the parliamentary assistant to the minister of public and business service delivery.