Footage emerges showing Theresa May praising controversial activist Mark Clarke

A VIDEO has emerged of Theresa May praising the activist nicknamed the Tatler Tory at the centre of sex, blackmail and bullying claims.

The Prime Minister was filmed backing Mark Clarke, 39, at a boozy rally in 2014.

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She can be seen slapping a smiling Clarke on the back.

It came a year before he was kicked out of the party after Elliot Johnson, 21, killed himself.

Mrs May tells Clarke: “What you are doing is absolutely tremendous.

“Road Trip 2015 is great.

"Thank you, Mark, for all you are doing.”

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She then leads a round of applause.

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Clarke was suspended from the party in September 2015 after Mr Johnson’s death.

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An inquest into the young activist’s death opened in May after claims of bullying by a senior aide.

Clarke was later banned from the party for life.

He denied any wrongdoing.

This week the father of Elliott Johnson criticised a report in Clarke's behaviour as a 'whitewash'.