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| Tory activist Elliott Johnson 'suffered degrading treatment' | Tory activist Elliott Johnson 'suffered degrading treatment' |
| (1 day later) | |
| A young Conservative activist found dead on railway tracks could have suffered "inhuman or degrading" treatment at the hands of party members, a hearing has been told. | A young Conservative activist found dead on railway tracks could have suffered "inhuman or degrading" treatment at the hands of party members, a hearing has been told. |
| Elliott Johnson wrote letters, found after his death, in which he claimed he was bullied by Tory supporters. | Elliott Johnson wrote letters, found after his death, in which he claimed he was bullied by Tory supporters. |
| His parents want his inquest to be widened to include evidence about the culture in the Conservative Party. | His parents want his inquest to be widened to include evidence about the culture in the Conservative Party. |
| A pre-inquest review has taken place to hear from lawyers on both sides. | A pre-inquest review has taken place to hear from lawyers on both sides. |
| An extract from one of the letters was read to Ampthill Coroner's Court, near Milton Keynes. | |
| The 21-year-old wrote: "These past few weeks have been the most difficult of my life. I've failed in money, failed in life, failed in politics." | The 21-year-old wrote: "These past few weeks have been the most difficult of my life. I've failed in money, failed in life, failed in politics." |
| Live updates on this story here | Live updates on this story here |
| Heather Williams QC, representing Mr Johnson's parents Alison and Ray Johnson, said the treatment he received could be considered "inhuman or degrading". | Heather Williams QC, representing Mr Johnson's parents Alison and Ray Johnson, said the treatment he received could be considered "inhuman or degrading". |
| "The family believe his death was directly linked to a series of events that occurred in the last few weeks of his life," she added. | "The family believe his death was directly linked to a series of events that occurred in the last few weeks of his life," she added. |
| Mr Johnson made a complaint about bullying weeks before he was found dead in Bedfordshire. | Mr Johnson made a complaint about bullying weeks before he was found dead in Bedfordshire. |
| The case subsequently led to the resignation of former party co-chairman Grant Shapps. | The case subsequently led to the resignation of former party co-chairman Grant Shapps. |
| Former activist Mark Clarke, who is at the centre of the allegations, which he denies, has been expelled from the party. | Former activist Mark Clarke, who is at the centre of the allegations, which he denies, has been expelled from the party. |
| The final months of Elliott Johnson's life | The final months of Elliott Johnson's life |
| June 2015: He starts working for the campaign group Conservative Way Forward as political editor. | June 2015: He starts working for the campaign group Conservative Way Forward as political editor. |
| 12 August: Mr Johnson makes a complaint to the Conservative party about activist Mark Clarke. Around the same time he is demoted due to budget cuts. | 12 August: Mr Johnson makes a complaint to the Conservative party about activist Mark Clarke. Around the same time he is demoted due to budget cuts. |
| 5 September: He withdraws his complaint after a meeting with Mr Clarke. | 5 September: He withdraws his complaint after a meeting with Mr Clarke. |
| 15 September: Mr Johnson is found dead on railway tracks near Sandy station, Bedfordshire. | 15 September: Mr Johnson is found dead on railway tracks near Sandy station, Bedfordshire. |
| 16 September: Police find a letter in his room accusing Mr Clarke of bullying. He denies this allegation. | 16 September: Police find a letter in his room accusing Mr Clarke of bullying. He denies this allegation. |
| 18 November: Mr Clarke is expelled from the party. | 18 November: Mr Clarke is expelled from the party. |
| 28 November: Grant Shapps resigns amid claims he failed to act on bullying complaints while he was co-party chairman. | 28 November: Grant Shapps resigns amid claims he failed to act on bullying complaints while he was co-party chairman. |
| George Alliott, representing Mr Johnson's former employer, the campaign group Conservative Way Forward, said a more in-depth inquest would "have to include reference to Elliott's mental health and his sexuality". | George Alliott, representing Mr Johnson's former employer, the campaign group Conservative Way Forward, said a more in-depth inquest would "have to include reference to Elliott's mental health and his sexuality". |
| Mr Johnson's parents, who live in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, have decided not to participate in an internal review by the Conservative Party saying they fear it will be a whitewash. | Mr Johnson's parents, who live in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, have decided not to participate in an internal review by the Conservative Party saying they fear it will be a whitewash. |
| Coroner Tom Osborne will deliver his written decision on what evidence will be heard at the full inquest later this week. | Coroner Tom Osborne will deliver his written decision on what evidence will be heard at the full inquest later this week. |