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Tories should look to unions to tackle bullying – Corbyn
THE CONSERVATIVE Party could learn from trade unions about how to deal with workplace bullying, according to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Mr Corbyn told the Morning Star that he was “terribly shocked” by the death of young Tory activist Elliott Johnson.
The suicide of the 20-year-old, who was found on railway tracks in September, has sparked a string of allegations of bullying, blackmail and sexual abuse in the Tory Party.
Mr Corbyn was keen not to score political points from the tragedy, saying: “Bullying in general is appalling in any organisation.”
But he spoke passionately of the need to combat bullying, adding: “It’s appalling in the workplace.
“It’s appalling in politics and sometimes, when parties offer strong, macho politics, it ends up simply as abuse. It should not be the case.”
And he held up the anti-bullying hotline established by the Communication Workers Union for its members as an example of action to be followed by others.
The Labour leader spoke out after new details of the bullying scandal gripping the Tories were revealed at the weekend.
Daniel Blaney quit as chairman of the Conservative Way Forward group after the Mail on Sunday linked him to the harassment of Mr Johnson.
They revealed Mr Blaney fired the young activist from his role at the group and tried to charge him £400-an-hour for legal advice about a separate matter.
Mr Blaney said he is now going to live and work in the US.
His departure throws into jeopardy plans for a museum dedicated to Margaret Thatcher, because Mr Blaney personally owns much of the memorabilia set to be displayed.
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