Tory bullying: Activist Elliott Johnson's father says Conservative chief must 'take responsibility' over death

Elliott Johnson is believed to have killed himself after making complaints about the behaviour of Conservative Road Trip 2015 organiser Mark Clarke

Elliott Johnson was found dead on a railway line in Bedfordshire

The father of a young Tory activist who allegedly killed himself because of party bullying has said the then co-chairman, Lord Feldman, must "take responsibility" for his death.

Ray Johnson said the peer was in charge while his son Elliott was "bullied and eventually died" and "has to take responsibility for it".

Mr Johnson Jnr was found dead on a railway line in Sandys, Bedfordshire, in September and letters found at his home accused several members of the Conservative party of bullying.

He said he had made complaints about the conduct of Mark Clarke - the head of the Conservative Road Trip campaign which took young activists to campaign around the country during the election.

Conservative Party Chairman Andrew Feldman (PA)

Mr Clarke was expelled from the party for life on 18 November over allegations that he bullied and threatened Mr Johnson Jnr, blackmailed senior politicians and sexually harassed young female activists.

He "strongly denies" all the allegations against him.

Mr Johnson Snr accused the Conservatives of "trying to cover things up" and repeated his call for an independent inquiry in an interview with Sky News.

Former youth organiser Mark Clarke, centre, pictured at a Conservative event in 2006, has been expelled from the party (Camera Press)

He said: "The more they try to cover things up the more detail that comes out, and the scandal is getting bigger and bigger.

"If they'd actually come out clearly two months ago about my son's death, then a lot of what’s come out in the last couple of months would probably still remain hidden."

It comes as Lord Feldman’s fellow chairman at the time, international development minister Grant Shapps, resigned over allegations he knew about the bullying claims last year.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, the Welwyn Hatfield MP said the "buck should stop with me".

He said: "Given the very serious nature of what has subsequently occurred and my role in appointing Mr Clarke, I cannot help but conclude that the only right course of action is for me to step down as a Minister in your government."