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Cameron praises 'duty and decency' of Conservative activists Cameron praises 'duty and decency' of Conservative activists
(about 9 hours later)
David Cameron has praised Conservative activists for their "duty and decency" and said he would never employ anyone who "sneered" at them. David Cameron has said he would never employ anyone who "sneered" at Conservative activists - and praised them for their "duty and decency".
The prime minister has written to party workers to praise their work amid strains over gay marriage and Europe. The prime minister has written to party workers amid strains over gay marriage and Europe to praise their work.
It was reported over the weekend that an unnamed ally to the PM called activists "mad, swivel-eyed loons".It was reported over the weekend that an unnamed ally to the PM called activists "mad, swivel-eyed loons".
The party's co-chairman Lord Feldman has denied speculation that he was the senior Tory who made those comments. The party's co-chairman Lord Feldman has denied speculation he was the senior Tory who made those comments.
Earlier on Monday, The Conservative Party Board rejected the idea of an investigation into the alleged comments - first reported by The Times and Daily Telegraph.
Conservative MP Brian Binley said his call for an inquiry was "pretty overwhelmingly rejected" by the voluntary body.
Downing Street has said it was "categorically untrue" anyone working there made the comments.
'Lasting friendship''Lasting friendship'
The PM's official spokesman said: "There has been considerable speculation. Lord Feldman has made a statement and the prime minister supports him. The PM supports Lord Feldman's statement." In an email to activists, Mr Cameron said he was "proud" of the work done by Conservative members and characterised his association with the party as a "deep and lasting friendship".
In his letter to activists, Mr Cameron said he was "proud" of the work done by Conservative members and characterised his association with the party as a "deep and lasting friendship".
"Time and again, Conservative activists like you stand for duty, decency and civic pride," he said."Time and again, Conservative activists like you stand for duty, decency and civic pride," he said.
"That's why I am proud to lead this party. I am proud of what you do. And I would never have around me those who sneered or thought otherwise.""That's why I am proud to lead this party. I am proud of what you do. And I would never have around me those who sneered or thought otherwise."
While party members would not agree on everything and there would always be "criticism from the sidelines", Mr Cameron urged activists to focus on what they had in common and on the bigger picture.While party members would not agree on everything and there would always be "criticism from the sidelines", Mr Cameron urged activists to focus on what they had in common and on the bigger picture.
"We must remember what this party has always been about: acting in the national interest...We have a job to do for our country - and we must do it together.""We must remember what this party has always been about: acting in the national interest...We have a job to do for our country - and we must do it together."
Earlier on Monday, The Conservative Party Board rejected the idea of an investigation into the alleged comments - first reported by The Times and Daily Telegraph on Saturday.
Board member and Conservative MP Brian Binley, who made the call for an inquiry, said on Tuesday that the gap between the party's members and its leader was "growing".
"Clearly something was said," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"We've got to have more control from the coterie around the leadership when they talk with the press."
Downing Street has said it was "categorically untrue" anyone working there made the comments.
The PM's official spokesman said: "There has been considerable speculation. Lord Feldman has made a statement and the prime minister supports him. The PM supports Lord Feldman's statement."
'Unanimous support''Unanimous support'
Members of the party's 22-member board met at the Double Tree Hilton, but amid a heavy media presence they later relocated to Conservative HQ for their monthly meeting. Members of the party's 22-member board met at a hotel in London, but amid a heavy media presence they relocated to Conservative HQ for their monthly meeting.
Leaving the gathering, Tory vice-chairman Mr Binley said: "I did propose, as I said I would, a form of investigation into this matter which was pretty overwhelmingly rejected." Leaving the gathering, Mr Binley said the board had been "unanimous in its support" for Lord Feldman.
He said the board had been "unanimous in its support for Andrew Feldman". On Tuesday he said the board had agreed that there was "a need to narrow the gap" between the wider party and the leadership.
A senior Tory source said the board discussed the issue for 30 to 40 minutes before voting and described the mood as ''convivial'', with members praising the peer's role in stabilising the party's finances. A senior Tory source described the mood as ''convivial'' for the vote, with members praising the peer's role in stabilising the party's finances.
Although his call for an investigation was rejected Mr Binley, who is MP for Northampton South, said: ''It was felt that there was a need to look at the narrowing of the gap between the party in the country and the leadership."Although his call for an investigation was rejected Mr Binley, who is MP for Northampton South, said: ''It was felt that there was a need to look at the narrowing of the gap between the party in the country and the leadership."