Father of bullied suicide Tory demands Scotland Yard inquiry into party scandal
- Ray Johnson's son Elliott was found dead next to railway track last month
- Died after being physically and verbally bullied by election aide Mark Clarke
- Mr Johnson has now accused Tory chairman of using inquiry as a cover-up
- Claimed British Transport Police inquiry into son's death was not enough
The father of the Tory activist who killed himself after being bullied by an Election aide to David Cameron last night demanded a Metropolitan Police investigation into the scandal.
Businessman Ray Johnson, whose son Elliott, 21, was found dead next to a railway track last month, accused Tory chairman Lord Feldman of using an internal inquiry as a cover-up attempt.
In an open letter to the peer, Mr Johnson claimed young activists preyed on by sex pest and bully Mark Clarke – who led the Tories’ Road Trip 2015 campaign – were used as ‘election fodder’ by party chiefs.
Businessman Ray Johnson, whose son Elliott, pictured with Boris Johnson, was found dead next to a railway track last month, accused Tory chairman Lord Feldman of using an internal inquiry as a cover-up attempt
He said a British Transport Police inquiry into the circumstances of his son’s death was not enough, and the Tories must ask Scotland Yard to lead a criminal investigation into why his son took his life. If they refused, Mr Johnson would make a personal plea to Yard chiefs to act.
Mr Johnson’s letter comes after The Mail on Sunday revealed how Clarke – nicknamed the ‘Tatler Tory’ – bullied Johnson physically and verbally in a ruthless bid to take charge of the Tory youth wing. Days later Johnson killed himself.
Mr Johnson’s letter comes after The Mail on Sunday revealed how Mark Clarke (pictured) bullied Elliott physically and verbally
Clarke, 37, is accused of using blackmail and threats to cover up his actions. At least three young women, including a teenager, claim he sexually abused them while leading campaign trips to key constituencies.
Mr Johnson was last night backed by some of Clarke’s victims, who said they had been ‘too scared’ to give evidence because of his thuggish reputation.
‘We object to being ordered to give our names when we make our complaints against this appalling man,’ said one. ‘People who have complained in the past have received sinister threats within hours.
‘Clarke should be expelled permanently now and victims given anonymity or the truth will never be known.’
Clarke was suspended from the Tory Party following Johnson’s death. His colleagues, Andre Walker and Sam Armstrong, were banned from the Tory conference after bullying claims linked to the Johnson affair.
A Tory spokesman said Lord Feldman had ordered an internal inquiry – by Old Etonian Edward Legard, a judge and leading Conservative – and refused to comment further.
For confidential support on suicide matters in the UK, call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or click here
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