Shapps To Resign After Tory Bullying Claims

International Development Minister Grant Shapps is expected to resign after claims that he failed to deal with allegations of bullying within the party's youth wing, Sky sources understand.

It follows the suspected suicide of 21-year-old Conservative activist Elliott Johnson in September amid allegations he was bullied and his complaints were not handled correctly.

On Friday, Mr Johnson's father, Ray, called on Mr Shapps and Conservative Party Chairman Lord Feldman to quit, saying his son would still be alive if they had acted on the allegations.

Speaking at the Commonwealth summit on Malta, David Cameron fuelled speculation Mr Shapps would resign by saying there would be a statement on the former Conservative chairman later on Saturday.

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The Prime Minister said he had personally ensured there is a "proper investigation" into bullying allegations in the Tory youth wing and said Mr Johnson's death was a "tragic loss of a talented young life".

Mr Shapps, a controversial figures within the Conservative party, is accused of failing to act after complaints of bulling by the Tory youth organiser Mark Clarke, who led the Conservative Road Trip 2015 General Election campaign.

Mr Clarke is accused of bullying Mr Johnson in the months before he is believed to have killed himself and was named in a letter written by the young activist just before he died on railway tracks on 15 September.

The Conservatives have always claimed they were not aware of any complaints against Mr Clarke before August, when Mr Johnson made an official complaint to Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ).

However, it emerged earlier this week that Conservative peer Baroness Warsi, a former party chairman, had written a letter in January complaining about Mr Clarke abusing her on Twitter.

In addition, Conservative aides were warning about Mr Clarke, who was dubbed "Tatler Tory" after the magazine named him as one to watch for the future, as far back as 2008 when he was an election candidate for Tooting. He failed to gain the seat at the 2010 General Election.

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Mr Johnson's father, Ray, says that had Lord Feldman and then Conservative co-chairman Grant Shapps - now international development minister - acted over complaints his son would still be alive.

He told The Guardian: "They need to stand down. Feldman, Shapps and whoever else is involved in this; clearly these senior members of the party have been telling lies.

"You wonder about the people running the country - whether they're fit to govern.

"If they had behaved responsibly like any other organisation, none of these events would have happened; my son would be alive and many activists wouldn't have been intimidated and harassed."

He has called for an external inquiry as well as the internal investigation that is already being carried out.

Mr Johnson withdrew his complaint against Mr Clarke but others have claimed Mr Clarke threatened to ruin his career if he did not drop his claim.

It is reported that 25 activists have complained to CCHQ about his behaviour, claiming blackmail, bullying and intimidation, and sexual harassment against female activists.

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Pressure is growing for the Conservatives, including Lord Feldman and Mr Shapps to disclose who knew what and when.

Mr Clarke was expelled from the Conservative Party amid the allegations of blackmail and bullying earlier this month.

However, he has denied all the allegations against him and said: "I have nothing further to add to my previous statements on Elliott Johnson as I am waiting to speak to the coroner. But I deny any wrongdoing."

Downing Street said: "An investigation is currently under way and it is not appropriate to comment until we can establish the facts."