Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Paul Abbott: Activist slammed for 'celebrating success' of group embroiled in Tory bullying scandal

Paul Abbott will hold an event in London next month about Team2015

Ian Johnston
Sunday 13 December 2015 17:16 EST
Paul Abbott, top row second left, of Conservative Way Forward, together with ‘Tatler Tory’ Mark Clarke, top right, and Harry Cole, middle, front row
Paul Abbott, top row second left, of Conservative Way Forward, together with ‘Tatler Tory’ Mark Clarke, top right, and Harry Cole, middle, front row

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A senior Conservative activist has been attacked for “celebrating the success” of a campaign team embroiled in a bullying row involving a young supporter who took his own life.

Paul Abbott, who was chief of staff to Grant Shapps until the MP quit as party co-chairman over the scandal, will hold an event in London next month about Team2015, The Guardian reported.

The campaign group funded an initiative called RoadTrip, which was run by election aide Mark Clarke and involved bussing young Tories around key seats during the general election.

One of them, Elliott Johnson, 21, killed himself in September, leaving a note that said he had been bullied by Mr Clarke, who has denied any wrongdoing.

Mr Johnson’s father, Ray, told The Guardian: “It seems insensitive to be celebrating the success of Team2015 when Mark Clarke’s RoadTrip played such a significant part in it.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in