Former NSW opposition leader Luke Foley will not take legal action against the ABC or journalist Ashleigh Raper over harassment allegations saying he "won't put everyone through this".

"It's in nobody's interest for this matter to be the subject of long running court proceedings and I won't put everyone through this," Mr Foley said in his first public statement since he announced he was quitting politics.

He had been expected to release a statement confirming this last week, but the statement was delayed, a senior source said.

Luke Foley has told the Labor Party he won't proceed with his legal action against Ashleigh Raper (inset). Credit:AAP, Twitter

Earlier a Labor source said they had been told Mr Foley would not pursue the action "which obviously we welcome."