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Elliott Johnson death: Coroner says activist intended to kill himself Elliott Johnson death: Coroner says activist intended to kill himself
(35 minutes later)
A Conservative activist who had complained he had been bullied by fellow Tories took his own life, a coroner has concluded.A Conservative activist who had complained he had been bullied by fellow Tories took his own life, a coroner has concluded.
Elliott Johnson, 21, was killed by a train after lying across railway tracks last September, in Bedfordshire.Elliott Johnson, 21, was killed by a train after lying across railway tracks last September, in Bedfordshire.
Coroner Tom Osborne concluded Mr Johnson, of London, had meant to kill himself, in Sandy.Coroner Tom Osborne concluded Mr Johnson, of London, had meant to kill himself, in Sandy.
"I find that Elliott Johnson... suffered severe injuries and died instantly," he said."I find that Elliott Johnson... suffered severe injuries and died instantly," he said.
Giving his verdict, senior Bedfordshire and Luton coroner Mr Osborne said: "I find that in letters his state of mind confirmed that he believed himself to have failed with money, with politics, his parents and with life.Giving his verdict, senior Bedfordshire and Luton coroner Mr Osborne said: "I find that in letters his state of mind confirmed that he believed himself to have failed with money, with politics, his parents and with life.
"And he believed at the time of his death that he had been bullied and had been betrayed.""And he believed at the time of his death that he had been bullied and had been betrayed."
'Squashed like ant''Squashed like ant'
The inquest in Ampthill, focused on the fact Mr Johnson believed he was being bullied and on his being made redundant by pressure group Conservative Way Forward (CWF), shortly after making the allegation.The inquest in Ampthill, focused on the fact Mr Johnson believed he was being bullied and on his being made redundant by pressure group Conservative Way Forward (CWF), shortly after making the allegation.
In a detailed complaint, he had accused former Conservative activist Mark Clarke of bullying, following an altercation in a central London pub during a friend's birthday party on 12 August.In a detailed complaint, he had accused former Conservative activist Mark Clarke of bullying, following an altercation in a central London pub during a friend's birthday party on 12 August.
During the exchange, Mr Clarke was alleged to have threatened to "squash" him "like an ant".During the exchange, Mr Clarke was alleged to have threatened to "squash" him "like an ant".
Paul Abbott, former chief executive of the CWF, told the inquest Mr Clarke harboured a "vendetta" against CWF, and there had been other complaints by the group's volunteers against him.Paul Abbott, former chief executive of the CWF, told the inquest Mr Clarke harboured a "vendetta" against CWF, and there had been other complaints by the group's volunteers against him.
'Victimisation campaign' Three Suicide Notes
However, Mr Osborne said he found "no connection" between Mr Johnson's complaint and CWF's decision to make him redundant.However, Mr Osborne said he found "no connection" between Mr Johnson's complaint and CWF's decision to make him redundant.
Mr Johnson's father Ray said he believed Mr Clarke, who denied the bullying allegations, had "ruined" his son's career.Mr Johnson's father Ray said he believed Mr Clarke, who denied the bullying allegations, had "ruined" his son's career.
"We were unaware of, at the time, a victimisation campaign by Mr Clarke towards Elliott and other members of the Conservative Way Forward, which was getting steadily worse," he said."We were unaware of, at the time, a victimisation campaign by Mr Clarke towards Elliott and other members of the Conservative Way Forward, which was getting steadily worse," he said.
Mr Johnson's allegations eventually sparked an investigation and the resignation of former party chairman Grant Shapps.Mr Johnson's allegations eventually sparked an investigation and the resignation of former party chairman Grant Shapps.