Tory chief 'told Mark Clarke to change his methods' after bullying complaint last YEAR

Instead of being instructed to stop in his tracks, the e-mails suggest 'Tatler Tory' Mr Clarke was told "maybe do this on the phone in future?"

'Tatler Tory': Mark Clarke has denied bullying allegations

A Tory chief was sent a complaint about 'bully' Mark Clarke last YEAR - and simply told him to change his methods, a leaked email has suggested.

The message from May 2014 has emerged despite Tory officials insisting they could find no written complaints about the so-called 'Tatler Tory' before August this year.

Instead of being instructed to stop in his tracks, the email suggests Mr Clarke was told "maybe do this on the phone in future?".

He was then told to start "smiling at people and getting someone else to shoot them" instead.

The Tories have been engulfed by a bullying scandal which began with the suicide of activist Elliott Johnson, 21 .

The row has already forced cabinet minister Grant Shapps to resign and prompted a Tory probe into allegations against Mr Clarke, all of which he denies.

Now a fresh chain of emails has suggested officials in the party were warned about Mr Clarke long ago.

Tragic case: Elliott Johnson took his own life after saying he was bullied

Mr Shapps' co-chairman of the Tory party at the time was Lord Feldman, who told a photographer outside Downing Street today he would be "vindicated".

He has faced fresh calls to quit from Elliott Johnson's dad Ray , who said last week: "It's quite clear to me that David Cameron is protecting his friend and he should consider where his loyalties should be.

"Should it be to his friend or should it be to justice?

But Lord Feldman denied all prior knowledge of the allegations, saying: "I was wholly unaware of allegations of bullying and inappropriate sexual conduct by Mr Clarke prior to August 2015.

"Such behaviour is abhorrent to me and had this been brought to my attention I would have taken immediate action to investigate."