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Tory youth wing urged to suspend social events in wake of bullying scandal Tory youth wing urged to suspend social events in wake of bullying scandal
(35 minutes later)
The Conservatives have written to members of their youth wing urging them not to hold social events after the organisation was embroiled in a bullying scandal engulfing the party, the Guardian has learned. The Conservatives have written to members of their youth wing urging them not to hold social events after the organisation was embroiled in a bullying scandal that has engulfed the party, the Guardian has learned.
An email seen by the Guardian was sent on Friday on behalf of Tory peer Baroness Chisholm, chair of Conservative Future (CF), asking members not to hold social events and cancel any Christmas or any other occasions already planned. An email seen by the Guardian was sent on Friday on behalf of Tory peer Lady Chisholm, chair of Conservative Future (CF), asking members not to hold social events and cancel any Christmas or any other occasions already planned.
It reads that the party feels “that it would not be appropriate for any CF branch to hold any social events for the foreseeable future, and we would request that any such events that are planned are cancelled.” It reads that the party feels “it would not be appropriate for any CF branch to hold any social events for the foreseeable future, and we would request that any such events that are planned are cancelled”.
The national executive of CF was last month suspended pending an inquiry into allegations that election aide Mark Clarke had bullied, smeared and attempted to blackmail young activists and MPs. He has denied any wrongdoing.The national executive of CF was last month suspended pending an inquiry into allegations that election aide Mark Clarke had bullied, smeared and attempted to blackmail young activists and MPs. He has denied any wrongdoing.
CF was caught up in the scandal when Tory deputy chair Robert Halfon admitted to having an affair with the youth wing’s chair, Alexandra Paterson, when it emerged Clarke had allegedly attempted to blackmail them. Another CF executive member India Brummitt, who worked as a Commons aide to Tory MP Claire Perry, resigned amid allegations she was in a relationship with Clarke, who is married, and had pressured young activists to withdraw complaints about him. CF was caught up in the scandal when Robert Halfon, the Tory deputy chairman, admitted to having an affair with the youth wing’s chair, Alexandra Paterson, when it emerged Clarke had allegedly attempted to blackmail them. Another CF executive member, India Brummitt, who worked as a Commons aide to Tory MP Claire Perry, resigned amid allegations she was in a relationship with Clarke, who is married, and had pressured young activists to withdraw complaints about him.
The catalyst for the bullying scandal was the death of 21-year-old political blogger Elliott Johnson, who accused Clarke of being a bully in a note written shortly before he was found dead on railway tracks on 15 September.The catalyst for the bullying scandal was the death of 21-year-old political blogger Elliott Johnson, who accused Clarke of being a bully in a note written shortly before he was found dead on railway tracks on 15 September.
Clarke was appointed by then Tory party chairman, Grant Shapps, as director of RoadTrip2015, which bussed hundreds of youngsters into marginal constituencies in the build-up to the general election. Shapps has since resigned from a junior ministerial position over his role in the affair. Clarke was appointed by then Tory party chairman, Grant Shapps, as director of RoadTrip2015, which bussed hundreds of youngsters into marginal constituencies in the buildup to the general election. Shapps has since resigned from a junior ministerial position over his role in the affair.
Some of the allegations levelled against Clarke claim he was aggressive towards young activists during RoadTrip2015 socials. Among CF events in jeopardy is the Christmas party for the Witney branch, within the prime minister’s constituency, which is scheduled for this Sunday. But chair of the branch, Liam Walker, told the Guardian he intends to defy the party’s request. Some of the allegations levelled against Clarke claim he was aggressive towards young activists during RoadTrip2015 socials. Among CF events in jeopardy is the Christmas party for the Witney branch, within the prime minister’s constituency, which is scheduled for Sunday. But chair of the branch, Liam Walker, told the Guardian he intends to defy the party’s request.
“While we recognise it has been requested that Conservative Future branches cancel any forthcoming social events, the Witney CF Christmas Curry this weekend will still be going ahead. Christmas is a time to get together and celebrate with friends and colleagues which is exactly what we intend to do,” he said.“While we recognise it has been requested that Conservative Future branches cancel any forthcoming social events, the Witney CF Christmas Curry this weekend will still be going ahead. Christmas is a time to get together and celebrate with friends and colleagues which is exactly what we intend to do,” he said.
A senior activist added: “It’s an absolute bloody disgrace for them to pass the buck on to CF considering their own involvement in all of this.”A senior activist added: “It’s an absolute bloody disgrace for them to pass the buck on to CF considering their own involvement in all of this.”
The Tory party has appointed law firm Clifford Chance to run an inquiry into the allegations, but this has been rejected by Elliott’s parents Ray and Alison. The Tory party has appointed law firm Clifford Chance to run an inquiry into the allegations, but this has been rejected by Elliott’s parents.
Refusing to take part in the investigation, Johnson said: “As each day passes, we believe it becomes clearer that Tory HQ is complicit in a cover-up to protect its chairman, regardless of the damage it has caused to its youth wing. The party has cleansed its youth wing; the question is now, who will move to cleanse Tory HQ itself?” Refusing to take part in the investigation, Ray Johnson said: “As each day passes, we believe it becomes clearer that Tory HQ is complicit in a cover-up to protect its chairman, regardless of the damage it has caused to its youth wing. The party has cleansed its youth wing; the question is now, who will move to cleanse Tory HQ itself?”
In recent weeks, pressure has mounted on the Conservative chairman, Lord Feldman, over how much he knew about the extent of bullying within the party. Feldman has insisted that complaints were not brought to his attention until August.In recent weeks, pressure has mounted on the Conservative chairman, Lord Feldman, over how much he knew about the extent of bullying within the party. Feldman has insisted that complaints were not brought to his attention until August.
Shapps has already resigned from a junior ministerial position over his handling of the allegations against Clarke, saying “the buck should stop with me”.Shapps has already resigned from a junior ministerial position over his handling of the allegations against Clarke, saying “the buck should stop with me”.