A senator accused of sexual assault apologized for his April Fool's Day prank in which he announced his resignation over Twitter.

Sen. Patrick Brazeau, who is currently on leave from the Senate, wrote: "I will step down from my position!"

Several of his followers and media outlets asked the embattled politician for more information, but were met with silence, until Brazeau tweeted: "Happy April's Fool's Day!" a few hours later.

Later Monday, the senator defended the gag to Twitter users who cried foul.

Yahoo Canada columnist Andy Radia called the prank "immature." Brazeau replied: "No, I played the media."

The tweet was later removed.

But on Tuesday, Brazeau backed down, apologizing for the "tasteless joke."

"It was meant as just that...a joke but I do realize is was tasteless," he wrote.

Brazeau pleaded not guilty in February to assault and sexual assault charges after police responded to a domestic disturbance call at his house.

He is due in court in June.