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Tory MP forced to shun youth branch party in PM's constituency Tory MP forced to shun youth branch party in PM's constituency
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A Tory MP was forced to withdraw from a Christmas party organised by the Conservative youth branch in the prime minister’s constituency in the wake of bullying allegations.A Tory MP was forced to withdraw from a Christmas party organised by the Conservative youth branch in the prime minister’s constituency in the wake of bullying allegations.
The Conservatives wrote to all branches of the youth wing Conservative Future on Friday urging them not to hold any social events and cancel any planned occasions, including Christmas parties, following claims of bullying by and against young activists. The Conservatives wrote to all branches of the youth wing Conservative Future (CF) on Friday urging them not to hold any social events and cancel any planned occasions, including Christmas parties, following claims of bullying by and against young activists.
The Witney, Oxfordshire branch of Conservative Future (CF), in David Cameron’s constituency, immediately vowed to press on with a Christmas curry on Sunday. The Witney, Oxfordshire, branch of CF, in David Cameron’s constituency, immediately vowed to press on with a Christmas curry on Sunday.
But Liam Walker, chair of Witney CF, told the Guardian the office of MP Michelle Donelan contacted him to say she would no longer attend as guest speaker after being told by Conservative central office not to join the festivities.But Liam Walker, chair of Witney CF, told the Guardian the office of MP Michelle Donelan contacted him to say she would no longer attend as guest speaker after being told by Conservative central office not to join the festivities.
Walker, who went ahead with the party without the Chippenham MP, said: “It’s disappointing that at a time of the year when we should be coming together to celebrate Christmas we are instead being told we should cancel our events with no reason given. It’s unacceptable to punish those who have done nothing wrong.”Walker, who went ahead with the party without the Chippenham MP, said: “It’s disappointing that at a time of the year when we should be coming together to celebrate Christmas we are instead being told we should cancel our events with no reason given. It’s unacceptable to punish those who have done nothing wrong.”
A source close to Donelan confirmed she did not attend and Conservative party headquarters refused to comment further.A source close to Donelan confirmed she did not attend and Conservative party headquarters refused to comment further.
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 all allegations and 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 all allegations and any wrongdoing.
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.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.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.
The email sent on Friday on behalf of Tory peer Lady Chisholm, now the chair of Conservative Future (CF), asked members not to hold social events and cancel any Christmas or other occasions already planned. The email sent on Friday on behalf of Tory peer Lady Chisholm, now CF chair, asked members not to hold social events and cancel any Christmas or other occasions already planned.
It said 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”. It said the party felt “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 Tory party has appointed law firm Clifford Chance to run an inquiry into the allegations, but this has been rejected by Johnson’s parents.The Tory party has appointed law firm Clifford Chance to run an inquiry into the allegations, but this has been rejected by Johnson’s parents.