A former federal Liberal MP says she was subjected to years of “highly aggressive” verbal abuse by one of her state counterparts.

Lucy Wicks said she made a formal and confidential complaint against a NSW Liberal MP, who was previously identified in reports as upper-house member Taylor Martin.

She alleged she received hundreds of “demeaning, degrading, and abusive texts” from the state MP over a five-year period.

“I was continually exposed to highly aggressive barrages of verbal abuse, which included threats to destroy my reputation if I spoke up,” she said in a statement posted on a Facebook page previously linked to her parliamentary office.

The former Robertson MP said she was “beyond distressed” to have been named as the complainant by a Sydney radio station on Monday.

“My complaint to the Liberal Party was in relation to serious concerns including behaviour in the workplace, in the party and in political interactions,” she said.

“I sought to create a confidential process that would enable natural justice and provide me with safety as I navigate this process.”

Mr Martin, who has been a member of the NSW upper house since 2017, earlier apologised for what he described as “heated words” in the context of a break-up.

“I was young and inexperienced and I found myself involved in a situation that was way beyond me,” he said in a statement on Sunday.

“There were heated words during my attempts to go separate ways that I sincerely regret.

“It was an ugly and undignified parting of ways.”

Mr Martin said he would co-operate with the Liberal Party’s internal investigation and would not sit in the party room while the claims were probed.

“I truly welcome the process that the party has commenced and I intend to fully co-operate,” he said.

NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said he had “spoken with the MP in question and he has told me he welcomes the process”.

A Liberal Party spokesperson confirmed a senior counsel had been engaged to conduct an independent investigation.

“At all times, the party has respected the agency and wishes of the person who has come forward, to treat the matter confidentially,” the spokesperson said.

“The matter is being treated confidentially, and the party will not be making any further comment while the independent investigation is taking place.”

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– with AAP