The Tories have announced that Mark Clarke, an activist who founded the RoadTrip campaigning organisation, has been booted out of the party for life. Clarke has found himself at the centre of bullying and intimidation allegations following the death of Elliott Johnson, a 21-year-old activist who is thought to have killed himself. Clarke, along with two other activists, was barred from this year’s party conference.
Conservative HQ has put out the following statement, referencing new information that has ‘come to our knowledge this week’:
‘In the light of information that has come to our knowledge this week, Mark Clarke’s membership of the Conservative Party has been cancelled for life. This means he cannot be a candidate or represent the Party in any way.
Mark Clarke’s Party membership was suspended in September 2015, following allegations of bullying and inappropriate behaviour.
The Party does not tolerate bullying or any other improper behaviour. Lord Feldman acted immediately to set up an internal disciplinary inquiry as soon as he received the allegations in August 2015, of which he was previously wholly unaware.
Furthermore the Party’s lawyers and the Party Board’s disciplinary committee will continue to investigate complaints received in relations to Roadtrip2015. Also, it is confirmed that Roadtrip is no longer authorised as a campaigning entity for the Conservative Party.
Going forward, we will ensure that all groups affiliated to the Conservative Party formally adopt the harassment and anti-bullying policy of CCHQ, as contained in the staff handbook.
The Party will continue to make available on an ongoing basis to all Party members and activists the counselling service provided by Westfield Health.
Guido and the Mail on Sunday have been doggedly covering the story of Johnson’s death and the allegations of impropriety among the young Tory grassroots, but Newsnight is rumoured to be showing a package in the near future, which will investigate these allegations. Clarke has also found himself accused of a blackmail plot involving the party’s deputy chairman Rob Halfon.
While Conservative HQ are co-operating with the ongoing police and corner inquiries into Johnson’s death, the party is going to face harsh criticism if any these allegations are proven correct.
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