Police are investigating allegations that a young Conservative activist, who is believed to have killed himself, was being bullied by members and supporters of the party shortly before his death, the Guardian has learned.

Elliott Johnson, 21, who worked for campaign group Conservative Way Forward (CWF), and was a member of the youth wing Conservative Future, was found on the railway tracks at Sandy station, in Bedfordshire, on 15 September.

An inquest that opened on Tuesday heard that British Transport police are investigating claims that Johnson was being bullied by Conservative members and campaigners.

The coroner told the short hearing hearing at Ampthill, in Bedfordshire, that “he had read in the paperwork certain allegations with regard to the possibility of bullying before Mr Johnson died”. A BTP officer confirmed that they were investigating the allegations, with the assistance of Bedfordshire police.

Johnson’s father, Ray Johnson, said: “We want to find out who did these things and what happened to Elliott. We want to know how long the Conservative party had concerns and why nothing was done to keep young people safe. If this is happening to young activists we don’t want anyone else to suffer in this way.”



Johnson is understood to have named party members and campaigners in a note left in his bedroom on the day of his death, while the family says that other young activists are believed to have complained of similar treatment.

Following the hearing, the Conservatives confirmed that they had launched an internal inquiry into allegations, which is being overseen by the party’s chairman Lord Feldman and the party’s chief executive, Simon Day. The internal inquiry was launched in August before Johnson’s death.

A spokeswoman for the party said: “Everyone in the Conservative party is deeply saddened at the death of Elliott Johnson. The circumstances surrounding his death are in the hands of the coroner and it is not appropriate to comment on those at this time.”

The University of Nottingham graduate started working at CWF – described by David Cameron as the largest and most effective pressure group within the Conservative movement today – as political editor in June, but later took on a part-time role as social media consultant for the group after he was faced with redundancy in August.

Johnson’s death is not being treated as suspicious by BTP, but a coroner’s liaison and fatalities investigator is looking into the bullying claims.

He leaves behind his parents Ray and Alison, who live in Cambridgeshire, and two sisters. The family received a letter of condolence from their MP, Steve Barclay, but are yet to receive any communication from the party regarding the bullying claims.

Johnson, who grew up in Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire, showed a keen enthusiasm for politics at an early age. He entered a mock election at his school in 2010 as the Conservative candidate and won with more than 80% of the vote.

After graduating with a 2:1 in history, Johnson moved to Tooting, south London, to take up a paid role at CWF, the Thatcherite campaign group founded in 1991. He also wrote his own blog called Right of Centre.

“Elliott went down there full of enthusiasm for his new career in political journalism,” said his father. “He was a brilliant young lad, always helpful, friendly and principled – highly regarded by all who got to know him.”

Johnson had attended a family wedding three days before his death. “He was extremely happy,” said Ray. “We had some drinks, a chat, a laugh.”



Johnson spoke to his father on the phone on the morning of the day before his death, in which he said he was attending a meeting about Jeremy Corbyn at Portcullis House. “That was the last time I heard from him,” said Ray Johnson. The family have been left shocked, devastated and confused by the death.

His father added: “You think of a party having the same agenda. But there’s uncontrolled factionalism within with people fighting each other for pole position. Elliott was an idealist, but he found himself in a snake pit. He felt like his career prospects were gone. He lived for politics and political journalism. He was dedicated, he was tenacious.”

Tributes to the young activist have poured in from family, friends and fellow Conservatives. Johnson’s family paid tribute to the “exceptional son, brother, grandson and nephew”.

“He was caring and loyal to family and friends and will be irreplaceable to everyone who knew and cared for him,” said his father. “We are struggling to express our sense of profound loss; we will always carry Elliott in our hearts and thoughts. The messages of support and love for Elliott touch our hearts. He has clearly made a significant positive impact on a great many lives.”

Debbie Clark, the former North-East Cambridgeshire Conservative Association agent, said: “He was so passionate about politics and I always thought he would go a long way in politics. I even imagined he could be prime minister one day.”

Members of Nottingham student newspaper the Tab dedicated a webpage of tributes to Johnson, who wrote for the paper from 2013 to 2015. “Elliott was one of the most innovative and enthusiastic writers I had the pleasure of working with,” said Sam Dean, Nottingham editor at the Tab from September 2013 to June 2014. “Every week, he would turn up at a meeting with a new idea and a fresh way of looking at things.

• Anyone feeling depressed or suicidal can call the Samaritans on 08457 909 090 or email jo@samaritans.org for immediate and confidential support and guidance