Tory party internal investigation into bullying lacks credibility, warns Conservative peer Emma Pidding

Emma Pidding says an independent inquiry should be set up

Elliott Johnson is believed to have killed himself after making bullying allegations against Mark Clarke

An in-house investigation by the Conservative party into claims of vicious bullying amongst its own activists will lack credibility, a Conservative peer close to the row has said.

Baroness Pidding, who has been subject to allegations in the press after the apparent suicide of a young activist, said a new inquiry totally independent of the party should be set up to get to the bottom of what had happened.

The Tories set up the inquiry and called for witnesses of bullying in the party’s youth wing to come forward after the death of young activist Elliott Johnson.

Mr Johnson claimed he was bullied by an activist named Mark Clarke who held a senior position running a campaign bussing young party activists around the country to campaign in marginal seats.

A formal complaint had been made against Mr Clarke by Mr Johnson. Since Mr Johnson’s death further allegations have emerged about Mr Clark’s behaviour and the way in which the Conservative party responded to them.

Mr Clarke denies all allegations against him. He has been expelled from the Conservative party.

Baroness Pidding, whose first name is Emma, had agreed to chair a future “roadtrip” campaign organised by Mr Clarke to bus activists around the country.

“Events over the past 48 hours have made it clear any investigation organised by the Conservative Party into its own handling of this sorry affair will lack credibility,” the peer said in a statement.

Grant Shapps, left, with Emma Pidding and Mark Clarke, bottom right, during the 2014 Tory conference (PA)

“At the heart of this, we are talking about the tragic and needless death of a young man who lived for our Party. I have come to the conclusion his parents are right in saying any inquiry must be entirely independent of that Party. Otherwise I do not believe the public at large will trust the outcome.

“I have already made it clear that allegations made against me are false. I am hiding nothing and I am quite happy to answer any questions an independent inquiry may put to me. I believe it is time for the Conservative Party to be put itself up to the same level of scrutiny.”

The Baroness was ennobled by David Cameron only last month and now sits in the House of Lords. She is a former chair of the National Conservative Convention.

Lord Feldman, a close friend of David Cameron and the chair of the Conservative party, is under pressure to quit from Mr Johnson’s family over questions about his handling of the investigation.

He also was one of four officials to sign off Mr Clarke’s involvement in the 2015 bussing campaign.

Grant Shapps, a former minister, quit his role at the weekend over the claims of bullying.

He had brought Mr Clarke in to run the Roadtrip 2015 campaign and had been written to by Baroness Warsi about claims against Mr Clarke.

A meeting of the Conservative party board today will agree a way forward for the party.