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The U.K.’s ruling Conservative Party said its inquiry into the events surrounding the death of activist Elliott Johnson won’t be completed before the end of the year.

“Party officials with legal support continue to take written statements from over 40 witnesses and searching for and collating all material written evidence,” the party said in a statement on Sunday.

It said law firm Clifford Chance has been asked to prepare a report on the allegations surrounding the death in September of Johnson, 21, and related allegations into the behavior of other party figures.

“The evidence taking will not be completed before the end of the year” and Clifford Chance will give its report “as soon as possible after that,” according to the statement.

Former party chairman Grant Shapps resigned his junior ministerial role on Saturday after media reports about the way he dealt with allegations of bullying made by Johnson prior to his death.

The Guardian newspaper reported that Shapps had received complaints about the activities of campaign organizer Mark Clarke in January, but had continued to use him to organize the transport of young activists to marginal districts to campaign for votes during the general election.

“Over the past few weeks –- as individual allegations have come to light -– I have come to the conclusion that the buck should stop with me,” Shapps said in his resignation letter to Prime Minister David Cameron.

Clarke has already been expelled from the party.