Liberal MP Pablo Rodriguez says he was unable to perform a breathalyzer test to the satisfaction of a police officer who responded to his car accident. (Fred Chartrand/Canadian Press)

Montreal MP Pablo Rodriguez will remain a member of the Liberal Party caucus while he fights a charge of refusing to take a breathalyzer test following a car accident in April.

A spokesman for Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff confirmed he was made aware of the situation and agreed with the importance of dealing with the issue in an open and transparent manner.

Rodriguez will retain his role as the Official Opposition's critic for Canadian heritage and the official languages, he said.

Rodriguez announced he was facing the charge at a news conference in his riding of Honoré-Mercier on Friday.

Rodriguez said he had consumed a "moderate" amount of wine before the accident, so a responding police officer asked him to submit to a breathalyzer test.

Despite his "wholehearted collaboration," Rodriguez said, he was unable to blow "to the satisfaction of the officer."

The accident occurred in Montreal's Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighbourhood on April 16, the MP's lawyer said.

Rodriguez said the accident involved only damage to property, though he would not say if another car was involved.

"I decided to disclose this event to the public because I play a public role and consider that I must be transparent at all times," he told reporters.

Montreal police declined to comment because Rodriguez has yet to appear in court.

Rodriguez, 42, was first elected in 2004.

With files from The Canadian Press