Main content

Young, Tory and Bullied

Investigating the bullying and harassment allegations that have rocked the Conservative Party. John Manel reports.

In September, Elliot Johnson, a 21 year old member of the youth wing of the Conservative Party took his own life. He left behind a note saying that he'd been bullied by a 38 year-old Tory activist called Mark Clarke.

Since then there have been almost daily reports of allegations of bullying, harassment and intimidation at the hands of Mr Clarke, all of which he denies. Accusations that a toxic environment had developed in the Conservative youth wing - Conservative Future - have also emerged.

The Conservative Party is currently investigating what went wrong, but the ensuing scandal has already forced the ministerial resignation of former party chairman Grant Schapps. More may well follow.

In this edition of The Report Jon Manel investigates what's become the murky, often nasty world of some young Conservatives. He explores the culture of two organisations thrown into the spotlight by this story - Conservative Future and the Young Britons' Foundation - and, in a rare media appearance, speaks to YBF's founder Donal Blaney.

Producer: Hannah Barnes
Researcher: Kirsteen Knight.

Available now

28 minutes

Last on

Thu 10 Dec 2015 20:00
91热爆 Radio 4

More episodes

Previous

Changing Jihadi Minds

Next

Al Qaeda in Syria

See all episodes from The Report

Broadcast

  • Thu 10 Dec 2015 20:00
    91热爆 Radio 4

Featured in...

Download this programme

Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes.

The Best of The Report

Listen again to the best investigations from The Report team

Podcast

  • The Report

    Original insights into major news stories and topical investigations