Canada’s sports minister, Kent Hehr, has resigned from the country’s cabinet pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations of misconduct, the prime minister, Justin Trudeau, said on Thursday.

The minister of science, Kirsty Duncan, will take over Hehr’s role during his leave of absence, Trudeau said in a statement.

“As a government we take any allegations of misconduct extremely seriously,” Trudeau said.

Hehr’s resignation follows recent allegations that he has made inappropriate comments to women.

Hehr confirmed his resignation from cabinet in a statement and said he had been informed an investigation into these allegations has begun, adding: “I welcome and respect this process.”