WASHINGTON: Hillary Clinton threw a Bible at a Secret Service agent's head in one of a series of tantrums, according to a book to be published by a former long-time member of her security detail.
The likely Democratic presidential nominee is known for being poised, even too stiff in public, with campaign aides working to help her appear relaxed before a crowd.
But in his book Crises of Character, Gary Byrne, who protected the first couple in the White House for eight years in the Nineties, describes the former first lady as prone to "eruptions" behind closed doors.
"The First Lady had a different sort of liveliness," Mr Byrne writes. "She once threw a Bible at an agent on her detail, hitting him in the back of the head." The book, which is due to be published next week, is a scathing portrayal of the Clintons as self-serving and self interested, who treated their security detail as part of the furniture.
The Daily Telegraph has not been able independently to confirm the allegations made by Mr Byrne.
The book has been denounced by several current and former Secret Service members.
The Clintons have not commented on the allegations, and the Clinton campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment last night.