DUP interim leader Gavin Robinson said the past six days had been "incredibly difficult and shocking" for the community across Northern Ireland following the resignation of his predecessor Jeffrey Donaldson.
Mr Donaldson quit on Friday after being charged with several historical sexual offences.
Speaking to the media in Belfast, Mr Robinson said: "The last six days have been incredibly difficult and shocking, not just for us within the Democratic Unionist Party but for the community right throughout Northern Ireland."
Mr Robinson said that he spent the last number of days engaging with colleagues.
"I have been encouraged not only by their support but their determination and recognition that what has gone before us is not reflective of us, it is not attributed to us," he said.
"Nor should it deflect from the important task that we have ahead of us as representatives for unionism."
