Gov. Tom Wolf Sunday became the first major public official to call for Sen. Daylin Leach to resign from office in the wake of newly published allegations about inappropriate treatment of staff.

Wolf's statement, issued by his press office shortly after 4 p.m., came in response to a lengthy Philadelphia Inquirer report detailing complaints from several former female staffers about a history of sexually suggestive jokes and a number of instances of inappropriate touches.

Leach, a Democrat from Montgomery County, in a statement on his own Facebook page, has denied any intentional wrongdoing.

"This disturbing behavior is absolutely unacceptable," Wolf said in his statement. "Senator Leach should resign. While he has been a leader on important policy issues, this conduct cannot be excused.

"As I have said previously, this is not a partisan issue," Wolf continued, reiterating a previous call for legislative leaders to quickly ensure that an adequate structure is in place for Capitol staffers to file complaints going forward.

Wolf's call is in keeping with the national Democratic Party's efforts to draw a bright, no-tolerance line for sexual misconduct by powerful public officeholders.

That line has already brought about the resignations within the past couple seeks of U.S. Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota and U.S. Rep. John Conyers, a Democrat from Michigan.

Wolf, in issuing his call, also leaped out in front of Leach's own Senate Democratic caucus.

Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, D-Allegheny County, had committed on Sunday to taking a fresh look at the complaints against Leach and how they were handled.

Wolf's statement in full:

"This disturbing behavior is absolutely unacceptable. Senator Leach should resign. While he has been a leader on important policy issues, this conduct cannot be excused.

"As I have said previously, this is not a partisan issue. The lack of adequate structure for victims to report this type of behavior and feel protected is inexcusable, and underscores that Harrisburg's culture must change.

"Leaders in the General Assembly, Republican and Democrat, must commit to real reform that protects victims."