The Yukon Party is keeping in caucus its MLA who is facing criminal charges.

Since Copperbelt MLA Haakon Arntzen was hit last Friday with four charges of indecent assault against a female and one assault charge, there have been questions about whether he will remain an MLA. He is the representative for Yukoners living in Granger, Hillcrest, Lobird, McRae, Pineridge and part of Copper Ridge.

Political strategists for the three major federal parties said Monday that standard practice in a situation where a member of a legislature is facing criminal charges is for that person to step out of the party caucus until the situation is over.

But yesterday, Premier and Yukon Party Leader Dennis Fentie said the Yukon Party is still a team of 12 MLAs.

'He's still a member of the caucus and he's still an MLA,' said Fentie.

'This is a very serious matter. The government's assessing this situation as we speak. However, now that this matter is in the hands of the courts, any further comment would be entirely inappropriate.'

Fentie was asked about whether the MLA would return to the legislature after missing Monday's sitting, and who is representing the people of Copperbelt in Arntzen's absence.

The premier shut his mouth and walked away, refusing to answer those questions.

NDP Leader Todd Hardy said that was the wrong thing for the premier to do.

'He doesn't seem to understand that he's the premier of this territory and he's responsible to people to answer the questions, especially when it's something such of this nature,' said Hardy.

'He's there to respond to those concerns. He should not be walking away from the people of this territory.'

Hardy doesn't agree with the delay there has been in Fentie dealing with the situation.

'Absolutely, there should be a swift response,' said Hardy.

The NDP leader believes that response, either from Arntzen or Fentie, is that the Copperbelt MLA should be removed from the government caucus. He said these men have a moral responsibility to deal with this situation.

Liberal Leader Pat Duncan agrees that a situation of this nature requires a public statement from the premier and Arntzen and soon.

'They've certainly had opportunity to think about it,' said Duncan.

She said Fentie has a responsibility to deal with this matter and he should not hide from that duty.

'It's one of the premier's members of his caucus and I think the seriousness of the situation warrants more than a no comment.''

Cabinet spokesman Peter Carr confirmed this morning there has been no change to Arntzen's status within the Yukon Party caucus.

'Discussions are continuing,' Carr said about the Arntzen situation.

The spokesman also confirmed Arntzen's absence in the legislature again today. His back row chair, from which he is almost never missing from during question period, was empty yesterday, as well.

Arntzen will be docked $100 for every day he is absent of the legislature without reason, such as illness or government business.