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Feldman Under Pressure Ahead Of Tory Meeting

Feldman Under Pressure Ahead Of Tory Meeting

Pressure is growing on Lord Feldman to quit as Conservative chairman as the party's board meets to address the Tory bullying scandal.

The Prime Minister is facing criticism over plans to hold an internal inquiry into allegations of bullying in the Conservative party youth wing during the RoadTrip 2015 election campaign.

The party confirmed on Sunday that Lord Feldman is among 40 witnesses giving evidence to the inquiry into events surrounding the death of activist Elliott Johnson and the activities of campaigner Mark Clarke.

The inquiry will be carried out by party officials - meaning Lord Feldman is likely to be questioned by his own staff.

:: Tory Bullying: Father Blames Feldman Over Death

The decision to keep the evidence gathering in-house - with a final report published by outside law firm Clifford Chance - is likely to be challenged at the board meeting.

The former head of the Conservative's voluntary wing has said there must be a fully-independent inquiry.

Emma Pidding, who denies any wrongdoing during her time as chair of the National Conservative convention, warned the internal probe would "lack credibility".

Elliott Johnson, 21, was found dead on railway tracks on 15 September after making a complaint that he had been bullied by RoadTrip2015 leader Mark Clarke - who has denied wrongdoing.

:: A Very Public Sacking, But Debacle Isn't Over

Since his death it is reported that 25 activists have complained to Conservative Campaign Headquarters about Mr Clarke's behaviour.

After Grant Shapps resigned from his ministerial position amid claims he failed to deal with complaints against Mr Clarke, Mr Johnson's father insisted Lord Feldman must also "take responsibility" over the death of his son.

In an interview with Sky News, Ray Johnson accused the Conservatives of "trying to cover things up", and renewed his call for an independent inquiry into his son's death.

Paul Goodman, a former Tory MP and editor of the influential Conservative Home website, said Lord Feldman's position was "untenable".

He wrote: "Feldman was the more senior of the two chairmen - chairing the Party Board, signing off all important financial decisions, overseeing all CCHQ's workings.

"And he has in any event been the sole chairman since last May.

"So the buck does not stop with Shapps. It stops with Feldman. His position as chairman is now untenable."

Lord Feldman has said he was "wholly unaware of allegations of bullying and inappropriate sexual conduct by Mr Clarke prior to August 2015" and Downing Street has stressed that the peer retains the PM's "full confidence".

Senior Tory backbencher Bernard Jenkin called on Mr Cameron to launch a "thoroughgoing" governance review of the party.

He said the party's board was too big and unwieldy, and there was a need to examine "the structures and the values by which we operate, the mission for the people who work and volunteer in the Conservative party and how we lead them, and what we expect acceptable behaviour and attitudes should be".