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Tory thinktank warns Elliott Johnson's parents against broader inquest Tory thinktank warns Elliott Johnson's parents against broader inquest
(35 minutes later)
The parents of the Tory activist Elliott Johnson have been warned by the Conservative thinktank where he used to work that their son’s mental health and sexuality would be aired in public if they insisted on broadening the scope of the inquest into his death. The parents of the Conservative activist Elliott Johnson have been warned by the Tory thinktank where he used to work that their son’s mental health and sexuality would be aired in public if they insisted on broadening the scope of the inquest into his death.
In a packed courtroom in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, lawyers for Ray and Alison Johnson argued that allegations that Elliott was bullied by the former Tory aide Mark Clarke and others should be examined by a full inquest as his treatment could amount to an “inhuman and degrading” breach of human rights.In a packed courtroom in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, lawyers for Ray and Alison Johnson argued that allegations that Elliott was bullied by the former Tory aide Mark Clarke and others should be examined by a full inquest as his treatment could amount to an “inhuman and degrading” breach of human rights.
But George Alliott, the lawyer representing Conservative Way Forward (CWF), the thinktank where Elliott Johnson worked until he was made redundant a month before his death, told the hearing that if the scope of the inquest was broadened it would lead to further questions being asked about Elliott’s sexuality and wellbeing.But George Alliott, the lawyer representing Conservative Way Forward (CWF), the thinktank where Elliott Johnson worked until he was made redundant a month before his death, told the hearing that if the scope of the inquest was broadened it would lead to further questions being asked about Elliott’s sexuality and wellbeing.
Addressing the coroner, Tom Osborne, Alliott said: “If this scope is to widen, you are going to have to conclude that it will need to involve references to Elliott’s mental health records and his sexuality.”Addressing the coroner, Tom Osborne, Alliott said: “If this scope is to widen, you are going to have to conclude that it will need to involve references to Elliott’s mental health records and his sexuality.”
Elliott, 21, was found dead on railway tracks on 15 September after leaving a letter in which he alleged that Clarke had bullied him and Andre Walker, a political journalist and acquaintance of Elliott’s, had betrayed him. Clarke, who worked for Conservative central office, and Walker have previously denied the allegations. Johnson’s parents believe he killed himself.Elliott, 21, was found dead on railway tracks on 15 September after leaving a letter in which he alleged that Clarke had bullied him and Andre Walker, a political journalist and acquaintance of Elliott’s, had betrayed him. Clarke, who worked for Conservative central office, and Walker have previously denied the allegations. Johnson’s parents believe he killed himself.
Wednesday’s hearing was a pre-inquest review held to give the lawyers representing Elliott’s family the opportunity to argue in favour of broadening the scope of the coroner inquiry. Previously the inquest was scheduled for no longer than 90 minutes and would only examine the immediate circumstances surrounding Elliott’s death.Wednesday’s hearing was a pre-inquest review held to give the lawyers representing Elliott’s family the opportunity to argue in favour of broadening the scope of the coroner inquiry. Previously the inquest was scheduled for no longer than 90 minutes and would only examine the immediate circumstances surrounding Elliott’s death.
Alliott quoted a passage of a note Elliott left behind after his death, which made makes a reference to being unable to provide grandchildren to his parents. Alliott argued that this was a reference to his sexuality, while the family say this could equally be a reference to his decision to end his own life. Alliott quoted a passage of a note Elliott left behind after his death, which made a reference to being unable to provide grandchildren to his parents. Alliott argued that this was a reference to his sexuality, while the family say this could equally be a reference to his decision to end his own life.
Elliott’s sexuality came into focus after reports last week suggested he had rowed with his family about the issue, which the family strongly denies.Elliott’s sexuality came into focus after reports last week suggested he had rowed with his family about the issue, which the family strongly denies.
A police report, which was prepared for the coroner and leaked to the Daily Mail on Friday, contained references to previous occasions when Elliott may have attempted to take his own life.A police report, which was prepared for the coroner and leaked to the Daily Mail on Friday, contained references to previous occasions when Elliott may have attempted to take his own life.
Elliott’s parents have previously argued that the report was leaked to deflect attention from the real reason their son took his own life: that he was being bullied by Conservative party members.Elliott’s parents have previously argued that the report was leaked to deflect attention from the real reason their son took his own life: that he was being bullied by Conservative party members.
During the hearing, Heather Williams QC, representing the Johnsons, said there was a prospect that Elliott’s treatment crossed the threshold of article 3 of the European convention on human rights, which prohibits inhuman and degrading treatment.During the hearing, Heather Williams QC, representing the Johnsons, said there was a prospect that Elliott’s treatment crossed the threshold of article 3 of the European convention on human rights, which prohibits inhuman and degrading treatment.
She said: “Elliott’s family believe, as you know, that his death on 15 September is directly linked to a series of events that occurred in the last few weeks of his life. In particular, bullying he experienced by Mark Clarke and those acting with him.”She said: “Elliott’s family believe, as you know, that his death on 15 September is directly linked to a series of events that occurred in the last few weeks of his life. In particular, bullying he experienced by Mark Clarke and those acting with him.”
Williams said Elliott’s dismissal from CWF and pressure put on him to withdraw a complaint about Clarke’s behaviour also led to him taking his own life.Williams said Elliott’s dismissal from CWF and pressure put on him to withdraw a complaint about Clarke’s behaviour also led to him taking his own life.
The QC said Elliott was “caught in a cleft stick” as Clarke leant on him to withdraw the complaint, while others encouraged him to press on.The QC said Elliott was “caught in a cleft stick” as Clarke leant on him to withdraw the complaint, while others encouraged him to press on.
“He was a young man at that stage,” she said. “He had a long-cherished ambition to make a success in the Conservative party, hopefully to become an MP.“He was a young man at that stage,” she said. “He had a long-cherished ambition to make a success in the Conservative party, hopefully to become an MP.
“He had lost all the positive relationships and the job he loved all in a space of few weeks. It was devastating.”Williams quoted from Elliott’s note: “These past few weeks have been the worst of my life.”Williams said: “We’ve a young man who until those weeks was in an ostensibly exciting time of his life. He came to London from Nottingham, winning friends andinfluence in the political circles he aspired to be part of.” “He had lost all the positive relationships and the job he loved all in a space of few weeks. It was devastating.”
Challenged by the coroner over whether it fell to him to investigate such bullying, Williams said there was a “wider systemic picture” of bullying within the party that had been exposed by Elliott’s death. “A picture of young people in Elliott’s position being bullied and intimidated, and a lack of support or resources,” she said. Williams quoted from Elliott’s note: “These past few weeks have been the worst of my life.”
Williams said: “We’ve a young man who until those weeks was in an ostensibly exciting time of his life. He came to London from Nottingham, winning friends and influence in the political circles he aspired to be part of.”
Challenged by the coroner over whether it fell to him to investigate such bullying, Williams said there was a “wider systemic picture” of bullying within the party that had been exposed by Elliott’s death.
“A picture of young people in Elliott’s position being bullied and intimidated, and a lack of support or resources,” she said.
The Johnson family’s solicitors Deighton Pierce Glynn have released a copy of the written argument they submitted to the coroner.
They have asked the Coroner to expand his list of witnesses called to give evidence to include Clarke, Walker, former CWF chief executive Paul Abbott, current CWF chief executive Chrissie Boyle and former CWF chairman Donal Blaney.
The coroner said he would release his judgment as to whether the scope of the inquest should be broadened on Friday.The coroner said he would release his judgment as to whether the scope of the inquest should be broadened on Friday.
The Johnsons declined to comment after the hearing.The Johnsons declined to comment after the hearing.