UK Tory peer seeks independent inquiry into bullying scandal after young

One of the complaints against Mr Clarke was that he had allegedly attempted to mastermind one or more blackmail plans.

The prominent activist – awarded a peerage this year by David Cameron – backed a call by the parents of activist Elliot Johnson who killed himself, leaving a note accusing Mr Clarke of bullying, for an independent probe.

Baroness Pidding, the former Chairman of the National Conservative Convention, who has been subject to various allegations during recent weeks, has called for an inquiry “entirely independent of [the Conservative] Party”.

Party chairman Lord Feldman and Government Minister Rob Halfon, who admitted having an affair after claims a Tory aide was trying to blackmail him, will not be present at the Board meeting which considers the legal report.

The firm will also review all interviews which have already been conducted and will give those who have given evidence the option to be re-interviewed.

“We need to establish that this will be investigated fully, not just in the way the party wants it to be”.

He said he had written to Lord Feldman urging him to postpone Baroness Pidding’s appointment to the House of Lords until an inquiry into bullying allegations had been completed.

After Grant Shapps resigned from his ministerial position amid claims he failed to deal with complaints against Mr Clarke, Mr Johnson’s father insisted Lord Feldman must also “take responsibility” over the death of his son.

“At the heart of this, we are talking about the tragic and needless death of a young man who lived for our party”.

Downing Street has stressed that Lord Feldman – who chairs the Conservative Party board which is meeting to discuss the issue – retains the “full confidence” of the Prime Minister.

“I think Lord Feldman was in charge when my son was being bullied and when my son died Shapps had left CCHQ several months earlier so the responsibility lies squarely on the shoulders of Lord Feldman”. When I first heard that the Conservative party were going to run their own internal inquiry, I wrote to Lord Feldman to tell him that I didn’t believe that was the way forward.

The Crossbench Peer Lord Pannick QC has agreed to review the investigative process and to certify that it is objective, appropriate and comprehensive.

Asking solicitors to lead the investigation eased pressure on Lord Feldman, David Cameron ‘s tennis partner and university chum.

If Feldman does resign he will become the second senior Tory to do so over the scandal following Shapps’ decision to stand down as International Development Minister.

Earlier, Chancellor George Osborne strongly defended Lord Feldman, telling LBC radio: “Andrew Feldman is an outstanding chairman of the Conservative Party”.