Nationals MP Andrew Broad has resigned as assistant minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, after New Idea published allegations Mr Broad used a dating website to meet younger women while he was away on work trips.

The New Idea article quotes a woman called Amy, who says she is almost 20 years younger than the federal MP.

She claims she had dinner with him at a Hong Kong restaurant.

The Member for Mallee is married and told the magazine he believes the person making the allegation may have engaged in criminal activity.

Following the publication of the article, Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Nationals Michael McCormack said given the nature of the allegations, it was appropriate Mr Broad resigned from the ministry.

“Mr Broad will continue as an effective and hardworking Member for Mallee, a role he has capably held since 2013,” Mr McCormack said in a statement.

Mr Broad was approached directly for a response, but was yet to provide one.

“I have been advised that the person making the allegation may have engaged in criminal activity,” he said in a statement to New Idea.

“This matter has been reported to the Australian Federal Police and I will not be making any further comment.”

Mr Broad was named an assistant minister in August as part of the reshuffle that followed Scott Morrison becoming Prime Minister.

He told the ABC last year that while he held Christian beliefs, he did not want to be put in the “Christian politician” column.

“I’m a member of Parliament who’s got a belief and that belief does stem from the basic principles that the human race has fallen, that we can be redeemed,” he said.

Mr Broad was elected to the House of Representatives in 2013.

His seat of Mallee is one of the safest in the country, with a margin of more than 20 per cent.

He has not resigned from his seat.

More to come