Federal MP Luke Gosling has bowed to pressure and stood down from his special envoy roles after he was charged with breaching bail conditions imposed following his alleged assault of the Northern Territory Administrator.

Mr Gosling, who is the Albanese government’s special envoy for Defence, veterans’ affairs and northern Australia, has strenuously denied the charges but said he would “temporarily” stand aside because of the “distraction” his court case was causing.

On Tuesday the NT Police Force charged the federal member for Solomon – the electorate spanning Darwin and Palmerston – with one count of breach of bail.

Mr Gosling allegedly elbowed and intentionally bumped into NT Administrator David Connolly at a community Thai festival in Darwin on July 18.

Mr Gosling appeared before the Darwin Local Court on July 31 where he applied to vary his bail conditions.

It was alleged Mr Gosling breached those bail conditions on August 14, and on Tuesday he was served with a summons to appear in court on September 30.

On Wednesday morning Mr Gosling released a statement to confirm he would stand down as special envoy, having resisted calls to do so when the original charges were laid.

“I am grateful to everyone that has reached out to me, my family and my office with messages of support,” he said.

“I categorically deny all the allegations made against me.

“However, due to the ongoing media attention and the distraction this is causing to the business of government, I have decided to temporarily stand aside as special envoy for Defence, veterans’ affairs and northern Australia until these matters have been heard.

“I am more committed than ever to my role serving the people of Darwin and Palmerston.

“I will rigorously defend myself against these charges in court.”

Under NT law assaulting an Administrator is a more serious offence than common assault, carrying a maximum penalty of 14 years behind bars.

Mr Gosling’s bail conditions included orders not to approach or communicate with Mr Connolly and not to go within 50m of Government House or the Administrator’s office.

He was also required to give at least 48 hours notice if attending a public event where the Administrator may be present.

If at the same event, Mr Gosling was forbidden from communicating with Mr Connolly or remaining within 15m of him.

Mr Gosling and Mr Connolly both attended the international Test cricket match in Darwin on the date of the alleged breach, but it is unclear if that is where the alleged offence occurred.

A spokeswoman said the MP was unaware of “the nature” of the alleged breach and that Mr Gosling and Mr Connolly did not attend “events at the same time”.

“Neither Mr Gosling or his office have been made aware of the nature of the alleged breach and have been provided no information from Police other than a summons,” she said.

“On Friday, August 14, Mr Gosling did not attend any events at the same time as the Administrator.”

On Tuesday evening the Opposition renewed calls for the Prime Minister to take action against Mr Gosling, saying the fresh charge strengthened the case for Mr Gosling to be stood down.

Special envoys help to represent and advise the government but carry no executive decision-making power or extra salary.

“When these serious charges were first laid, we said this was a test of the Prime Minister’s leadership and Luke Gosling should be stood down from his special envoy role while the matter is dealt with,” Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said.

“Now Mr Gosling has also been charged with allegedly breaching his bail, the case for the Prime Minister to act is even stronger.”

“These allegations are matters for the courts, but Anthony Albanese has a decision to make about who serves in his government. He should stand Mr Gosling down today.”

Shadow Defence Minister James Paterson also repeated calls for the Prime Minister to stand down Mr Gosling from his Special Envoy roles until the court case was resolved.

“Anthony Albanese’s judgement has been exposed again,” Mr Paterson said.

“He should have immediately stood Luke Gosling aside as a special envoy when he was first charged with assault. Now police allege Mr Gosling has breached bail. Surely this is enough for the Prime Minister to admit he got it wrong and immediately stand down his special envoy until this matter is resolved.”

Mr Albanese was contacted for comment.