US democratic representative Anthony Weiner has defied calls from his party leaders calling upon him to resign instead saying he would seek treatment and a leave of absence after he was embroiled in an Internet sex scandal.
The 46-year-old New York congressman announced his plans shortly after House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi publicly urged him to go for help, but also to step down.
Mr Weiner's determination to remain, bolstered by support from his New York City constituents, has angered Democrats. They say his inappropriate online exchanges with women have hurt the party as it seeks to regain control of the House of Representatives from Republicans in next year's elections.
In a brief statement, the congressman's spokeswoman, Risa Heller, indicated Mr Weiner would remain in office at least until he receives professional help at an undisclosed facility.
"Congressman Weiner departed this morning to seek professional treatment to focus on becoming a better husband and healthier person," Ms Heller said.
"In light of that, he will request a short leave of absence from the House of Representatives so that he can get evaluated and map out a course of treatment to make himself well."
"Congressman Weiner ... has determined that he needs this time to get healthy and make the best decision possible for himself, his family and his constituents," Ms Heller said.
Earlier yesterday, Ms Pelosi and other house democrats called on Ms Weiner to step down, frustrated by his refusal to step aside after admitting on Monday to inappropriate Internet relations with at least six women.
Pelosi issued her statement after she was made aware of Weiner's "intention to take a leave of absence in order to seek treatment," an aide said.
Mr Weiner, a fiery liberal re-elected last November with 61 per cent of the vote, says his behavior was wrong but that he violated no laws.
Generally, all it takes to get a leave of absence, as Weiner plans to do, is to formally advise the House speaker. "You ask for it, you get it," an aide said.
According to a NY1-Marist poll, 56 per cent of adults in his district believed he should stay in office, while 33 per cent said he should resign. The telephone survey of 512 adults was conducted on Wednesday and had a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.
Patrick Egan, a political science professor at New York University, said the poll results were not particularly surprising. "This isn't Kansas, Utah or Alabama. This is New York where people are more forgiving of such things," he said.
Reuters