Former leader of the Conservative party Colin Craig, accompanied by his wife Helen, has admitted "inappropriate" conduct in his relationship with his former press secretary Rachel MacGregor but denied claims he sexually harassed her.

Six Conservative Party board members, including chief executive Christine Rankin, have quit in the wake of the allegations engulfing former leader Colin Craig.

The resignations came as Craig confirmed he would agree to lift a confidentiality agreement with his former aide Rachel MacGregor even though some of the communications might be embarrassing.

Craig's own brother Andrew Craig is among those to quit, current board member John Stringer said.

DAVID WHITE/FAIRFAX NZ Former Conservative Party leader Colin Craig is consulting lawyers over whether to release Rachel MacGregor from a confidentiality agreement.

Regan Monahan, Roy Brown, Nathaniel Heslop and Melissa Perkin have also resigned. Rankin announced her resignation early on Tuesday morning.

The party's dramas have occurred in the wake of accusations of sexual harassment by Craig, which he has strongly denied. MacGregor was his press secretary until she quit two days before the September general election.

He said on Tuesday his lawyers had sought an "urgent response" from lawyers acting for MacGregor to gain assurances neither party would sue if the other went public to address allegations against Craig.

SUPPLIED Former Conservative Party press secretary Rachel MacGregor says there were "clear factual inaccuracies" in Colin Craig's statement yesterday.

MacGregor requested on Monday that the confidentiality agreement be lifted so she could correct what she said were a number of "factual inaccuracies" made in a statement by Craig.

She said she was bound by the confidentiality agreement reached during a Human Rights Commission mediation with Craig.

Craig admitted he engaged in "inappropriate behaviour", but he rejected claims he sexually harassed anyone.

FAIRFAX NZ Christine Rankin, Conservative Party CEO, says she's had enough.

"In hindsight, on some occasions our conduct was inappropriate and we have acknowledged that so that we can both move on," he said.

MacGregor posted a tweet on Monday night. "Colin Craig is trying to frame me as a mistress. There was never a sexual relationship..."

The resignations leave just four board members remaining, among them chairman Brian Dobbs and major donor Laurence Day.

Dobbs said was contemplating his future.

"Look everyone needs to look at everything and there has been some very difficult events recently. I need to think about that which is understandable but at this stage I'm very much still the chairman of the Conservative Party.

"Let's see how things develop. You can understand that."

Stringer said he would not be resigning. It's unclear whether the resignations might tip support back in favour of a return of Craig.

But Stringer said work would begin to replace board members who could not be convinced to withdraw their resignations.

"I think the Conservative Party minus Colin Craig is a much more attractive option to many people."

Meanwhile, Craig said he was concerned about what MacGregor might say, but believed the documents behind the settlement would clear his name.

"I guess anybody can say anything, but I feel that disclosure of the documents, particularly any claims of allegations that have been made, will be beneficial to me.

"I mean obviously, there's going to be one or two face-palm moments in there. But... they'll amount to far less than the speculation so that can only be good for me as as I'm concerned."

He was now waiting for a response from MacGregor's lawyers.

Geoff Bevan, the lawyer acting for MacGregor, said he was not authorised to comment. MacGregor did not immediately return requests for comment.

Craig, who stood down as leader last Friday, is also said to be in the process of setting up a new party if the board expels him.

Earlier on Tuesday, Rankin confirmed she had resigned, saying she had "had enough".

"I've resigned from the party, and I've resigned from the board. Enough is enough," said Rankin.

She criticised the board over its inaction in dealing with Craig.

"I don't want to be part of that, I've hung on long enough."

Rankin said she felt "great" to have cut her ties.

"It's over for me, I've done everything I can do. I think I've given the most sound advice in terms of what the board and the party should do, they haven't acted. I've had enough."

In what appears to be a last-ditch attempt to reclaim his leadership, Craig said he would appeal to the party's grassroots to see if they still supported him.

Craig said he had made no commitment to starting a new political party, but he would be "forced to think about it" if his supporters wanted him to continue.

"My next step... is to see what my supporters want me to do.

"Whether I stay in politics, I'm really leaving in the hands of those who have back me this far."

Craig said starting a political party from the ground up was hard work, but he admitted he might not be left with much choice if the board strips him of membership.

"It's a difficult situation if it arises... but it's not something if thought about, but of course I'd have to think about it."

ALLEGATIONS OF INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR

On Monday, Craig stood with his wife at his side to rebut the claims of sexual harassment.

After days of publicly denying any knowledge of the allegations, Craig admitted "inappropriate" conduct in his relationship with MacGregor but denied he sexually harassed her.

He also rejected claims of a secret financial settlement with MacGregor but detailed payments including the settlement of an outstanding $50,000 invoice.

He said both parties eventually agreed on a figure of $16,000.

Craig said he and his wife Helen also gave MacGregor a personal loan of $20,000 to settle significant credit card debt, which he later forgave.

"In hindsight, on some occasions our conduct was inappropriate and we have acknowledged that so that we can both move on," Craig said.

He had apologised to his wife, who made a statement of her own.

Helen Craig said: "I choose to stand with my husband here today in full love and support of him whom I believe has been falsely accused."

Shortly after Monday's press conference, MacGregor broke her silence via a statement from her lawyer, accusing Craig of "clear factual inaccuracies", which she was happy to address, should he release her from a confidentiality agreement.

He and MacGregor have confirmed there was a mediated settlement. MacGregor said it was with the Human Rights Commission, under which they were both bound by confidentiality.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister John Key said the Conservative Party troubles may bode well for National.

"I would have thought that vote would come back to National because it's more likely to be aligned with us but not necessarily guaranteed."

He said National was polling slightly higher than on election day and the Conservatives slightly lower, but that was normal at this point in the electoral cycle."