The Windsor West PC candidate says he is saddened about the allegations against his former party leader Patrick Brown.

Adam Ibrahim tells CTV Windsor  “these allegations are very sad, and it's sad that this has happened.”

In a statement released early Thursday morning, Brown called the allegations false but says he is resigning after consulting with friends, family and caucus members.

"I will remain on as a MPP while I definitively clear my name from these false allegations," said Brown, who is 39.

After the news, Ibrahim released a statement on Twitter Thursday morning.

“I am very saddened to hear about these allegations against Patrick Brown last night. These are serious allegations that need to be addressed. I respect and support women. Women should always feel safe to come forward and no accusation should be taken lightly. I do not want that to detract from my own campaign or the PC party’s campaign. I am focussed on still bringing a voice to Windsor and being the change that we need.”

In an interview with CTV Windsor’s Rich Garton, Ibrahim says "we stand behind these women and  this is something that we take very seriously."

Scott Duquette, the President of the Windsor-Tecumseh P.C. Riding Association, says he has known Brown since he was a law student at the University of Windsor.

“I was shocked when I first heard the news," admits Duquette, who adds the allegations and subsequent resignation by Brown took the whole team by surprise.

Windsor-West New Democrat MPP Lisa Gretzky tells CTV Windsor she too was shocked by the news.

“It’s a lot to process,” admits Gretzky. “Still processing and I know a lot of people are too.”

Gretzky says this shouldn’t be about politics.

"We have to take that aspect out of it,” says Gretzky. “I know it was a politician who had these allegations levelled against him, but ultimately, it's really about the two women who have come forward and the allegations that have been made, that should be our focus."

But Duquette and Ibrahim are confident the Progressive Conservatives can regroup in time for the next provincial election, which is only months away.

“It's sad and at the same time, going forward, we have to work together,” says Ibrahim. “I'm very optimistic the PC party will deliver a strong message in 2018's provincial election."

A separate statement from Ontario PC deputy leaders Sylvia Jones and Steve Clark was released shortly after Brown’s and said they unanimously agree Brown couldn’t continue serving as the party’s leader.

"Mr. Brown is entitled to a legal defense and due process, but he cannot lead us into an election as a result of these allegations," the statement read.

In interviews, the women allege inappropriate behavior by the rising political figure throughout his tenure as an elected official.

With files from CTVNews.ca.