Clerk of N.W.T. legislature on leave

The clerk of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly is on leave, following public allegations that he bullies staff and cannot control his temper.

Tim Mercer's leave began on Monday, according to deputy clerk Glen Rutland.

That morning,CBC published bullying allegations made against Mercer by a worker in his office. April Taylor saysMercer has berated her and others to the point of tears, responds to any criticism with hostility, and his behaviour has gone unchecked by MLAs for years.

Mercer denies all of the allegations. He says most of them were independently investigated two years ago and foundto be groundless.

Later on Monday, MLA Steve Norn made similar allegations against Mercer and called for an independent investigation of him.

Asked if Mercer's leave is the result of the allegations or the call for an investigation, Rutland responded, "I can't discuss that."