Probe sought into alleged Brown bullying

LONDON, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- British opposition leaders are calling for an inquiry into whether Prime Minister Gordon Brown bullied members of his staff, authorities said.

"These are very serious matters," Conservative Party leader David Cameron said.

Cameron and Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said claims made by author Andrew Rawnsley, and apparently supported by Christine Pratt, founder of Britain's National Bullying Helpline, need to be investigated.

Rawnsley, in his new book "The End of The Party," alleges Brown shoved an aide, swore at staffers and once took the place of a secretary who he believed was typing too slowly.

Cabinet Secretary Gus O'Donnell was so concerned he delivered an informal "verbal warning" to Brown, Rawnsley said. In a statement Sunday, the Cabinet Office denied there had been a verbal warning but did not deny O'Donnell spoke with Brown about his temper, The Times of London online reported Monday.

Pratt said her service's volunteers had received several complaints about bullying from junior staffers in Brown's office and the office of the deputy prime minister, though none directly blamed Brown for abusive behavior.

Brown has not said if he will investigate the allegations, which have been dismissed by several former employees of the prime minister, including Fiona Gordon, who Sunday praised Brown's kindness and consideration when she worked for him as a secretary.