Paul Abbott: Activist slammed for 'celebrating success' of group embroiled in Tory bullying scandal

Paul Abbott will hold an event in London next month about Team2015

Paul Abbott, top row second left, of Conservative Way Forward, together with ‘Tatler Tory’ Mark Clarke, top right, and Harry Cole, middle, front row

A senior Conservative activist has been attacked for “celebrating the success” of a campaign team embroiled in a bullying row involving a young supporter who took his own life.

Paul Abbott, who was chief of staff to Grant Shapps until the MP quit as party co-chairman over the scandal, will hold an event in London next month about Team2015, The Guardian reported.

The campaign group funded an initiative called RoadTrip, which was run by election aide Mark Clarke and involved bussing young Tories around key seats during the general election.

One of them, Elliott Johnson, 21, killed himself in September, leaving a note that said he had been bullied by Mr Clarke, who has denied any wrongdoing.

Mr Johnson’s father, Ray, told The Guardian: “It seems insensitive to be celebrating the success of Team2015 when Mark Clarke’s RoadTrip played such a significant part in it.”