Kiama MP Gareth Ward has issued his first public statement since being found guilty of sexual assault offences to say that he intends to appeal the verdict.

Ward's office issued a media release late on Friday afternoon to say the 44-year-old was "absolutely shattered" about now being known as a convicted rapist and intends to launch a legal challenge to clear his name.

He was handcuffed and taken away from the NSW District Court in the Downing Centre in the Sydney CBD on Wednesday and transported to a jail cell at Silverwater Correctional Centre in the city's west.

Ward will return to Court on 19 September for sentencing.

"I am absolutely shattered with the result of the trial and have taken the opportunity over the last few days to spend time with those I love following the verdict.

"I am taking advice about next steps, but I can confirm that I have provided instructions to my legal team to prepare an appeal at the earliest opportunity.

"I take this opportunity to thank so many from across our community that have sent warm and caring messages of support to me and my family."

Ward was granted bail after the guilty verdict was delivered but that was revoked on Wednesday despite his lawyer, Edward Anderson, protesting to Judge Kara Shead that he should not be detained due to the special circumstances surrounding his high profile and vision-impairment disability.

NSW Premier Chris Minns and Opposition Leader Mark Speakman have called on Ward to resign from Parliament.

They have indicated that they will make moves to not just suspend him but expel him when Parliament resumes on Tuesday.

This would trigger a by-election for the Kiama state electorate in the coming months and almost certainly bring an end to Ward’s political career after more than 20 years in public office as a Shoalhaven councillor and then NSW Member of Parliament.

Minister for the Illawarra and South Coast Ryan Park on Friday joined the chorus of politicians calling for Ward to resign before being expelled.

He told reporters at a media conference that the broader community expects him to "do the right thing and resign".

Park paid tribute to Ward's victims for having the bravery to report his criminal conduct to police.

“They’re the people that I’m worried about the most,” he said. “To bring forward this issue and bring forward evidence, and to bring forward these charges, has no doubt resolved or brought up a lot of difficult things for those individuals and our community.

"I have got a great degree of admiration for those people involved and a great degree of sorrow."

He was charged by police three years ago after complaints against Ward from a man, aged 24 at the time, over an incident at Potts Point in Sydney’s east a decade ago.

Ward was also found guilty of indecently assaulting a recently turned 18-year-old at the politician’s Meroo Meadow home in 2013.

Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald has written to the NSW Government to emphasise the importance of local representation and request clarity on what Parliament will do following Ward's guilty verdict on sexual assault charges.

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National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028