The Yukon Party has now made public what role the MLA facing criminal charges will have within its caucus none.

In an impromptu press conference Wednesday afternoon, Premier Dennis Fentie announced a decision by Haakon Arntzen, the Yukon Party MLA for Copperbelt who's facing four counts of indecent assault on a female and one count of assault, between 1972 and 1980.

'Effective today, Mr. Arntzen has tendered his resignation as a member of the Yukon Party caucus. I have accepted that resignation,' Fentie told reporters.

'Mr. Arntzen plans to remain on as an independent member of the legislative assembly.'

Fentie then stood up and walked out of the room, refusing to answer any questions.

Arntzen's removal from the government caucus is what the opposition and political experts have been suggesting should happen since Monday.

'Haakon Arntzen did the right thing,' said Opposition Leader Todd Hardy.

However, Hardy thought it took too long for the matter to be settled.

Liberal Leader Pat Duncan said this matter 'lingered' too long in the public eye.

'This was a long time in political terms,' she said. 'You have to deal with issues in a timely manner.'

Both leaders wanted to see some action from Fentie.

'The disappointing side of this is that the premier did not take action; did not demonstrate what was the right thing to do,' said Hardy.

'I think people were looking towards the premier to set some kind of indication of what is the standards and what kind of level of conduct is expected by members of the legislative assembly.

'He did not show that leadership. He did not step forward and do that. Instead, he let the person charged to initiate it and that's disappointing.'

Hardy believes people wanted to hear Fentie say he asked Arntzen to resign from caucus until these matters are cleared up.

'It would've sent a message to people of the territory.'

Duncan also felt Fentie should have done something.

'I think it shows a lack of leadership, clear decision-making,' she said.

Hardy said Fentie had no integrity in dealing with this issue.

But, if he was premier, Hardy said he would have dealt with the issue quickly and decisively.

'To me, it's a slam-dunk,' said Hardy.

Duncan would have acted in a similar way to the NDP leader, she said.

'It would've been dealt with immediately by our caucus,' she said.

The government has not answered any questions on Arntzen's situation since Fentie's press conference, including what will happen with the caucus red tape reduction committee, which Arntzen chaired.

His lawyer, Edward Horembala, said Wednesday his client plans to plead not guilty to the charges.