Report into 'Tatler Tory' Mark Clarke 'exposes claims of sexually inappropriate behaviour'
Senior Tory figures effectively cleared, as reports says none were aware of bullying allegations
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Your support makes all the difference.A report into claims of bullying among Tory party activists has uncovered six allegations of “sexually inappropriate behaviour” relating to the campaigner at the centre of the scandal.
The document states that it has explored the Conservative Party’s handling of claims that "Tatler Tory" Mark Clarke had “propositioned activists or tried to kiss them”.
In total it identified 13 individuals who were alleged to have been bullying or harassment victims. Clarke denies all the allegations as “wholly untrue and unsubstantiated”.
But the report does little to shed light on further detail of the claims, setting out at the start that information would be withheld to protect identities.
It also goes on to effectively clear senior Tory figures, saying none were aware of bullying allegations against Clarke before August 2015.
The activist, who ran the party's "Road Trip" operation to bus election campaigners to marginal seats, has since been expelled from the party.
The Conservatives commissioned the investigation that led to the report after claims of Clarke’s bullying emerged in the wake of the death of Elliot Johnson.
Mr Johnson, 21, killed himself last September having complained he was being bullied by Clarke, who won his nickname after being tipped for greatness by Tatler magazine.
The report said: “Thirteen individuals were identified who were alleged to be victims of bullying, harassment and/or inappropriate conduct by Mr Clarke.”
It later adds: “Six specific allegations of sexually inappropriate behaviour relating to Mr Clarke were identified.
“These included allegations that Mr Clarke propositioned activists or tried to kiss them.”
The report goes on to set out how Clarke was on the radar of senior Conservative Party staff, including election guru Sir Lynton Crosby and then party chairman Lord Feldman.
This was in relation, however, to Clarke’s inappropriate use of the phoney job title “director in CCHQ” and not for bullying allegations.
Conservative Chairman Sir Patrick McLoughlin said: “The death of Elliott Johnson was a tragedy and our thoughts remain with his family and friends.
“As we address the findings of this report I want to make clear that there can be no place for bullying behaviour in our party and we all have a responsibility to act when it occurs. The actions we are taking today will continue to ensure that volunteers, who are so vital to our Party, can flourish.”
The party has said it will set up a hotline for complaints made by volunteers and overhaul its system for reporting complaints in the wake of the inquiry.
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