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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Politics
Samuel Osborne

Elliott Johnson death: No member of Tory party called to give evidence at inquest

No member of the Conservative Party will be called to give evidence at the inquest into the death of Tory activist Elliott Johnson, the coroner has ruled. 

In a letter writtten in the days before his suspected suicide, Mr Johnson named both Mark Clarke and Andre Walker.

“These past few weeks have been the most difficult of my life,” he wrote. “I have been bullied by Mark Clarke and betrayed by Andre Walker. Now all my bridges are burnt. Where can I go from here?”

Mr Johnson was found dead on a railway line in Bedfordshire in September. 

Alleged tormentor Andre Walker claims he was in a relationship with Elliott up until his death

A month before his suicide, the young Conservative activist sent a message to Mr Walker, complaining about bullying behaviour by Mr Clarke.

Allegations of bullying and inappropriate behaviour led the Tories to expell Mr Clarke, the so-called "Tatler Tory," from the party for life.

At a pre-inquest review, his parents asked the coroner to consider his "inhuman or degrading" treatment.

Both Mr Clarke and Mr Walker have denied the accusations of bullying.

Tom Osborne, the Senior Coroner for Bedfordshire and Luton said the court did not think it necessary to call either Mr Clarke or Mr Walker to the inquest.

In a written ruling, he said: "It is my view that it would clearly be going beyond the proper scope of this inquest to be calling members of the Conservative Party to inquire into what steps or measures they are taking to investigate the bullying allegations by a party member towards another party member."

The inquest is scheduled for 31 March,

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