Probe into Tory bullying claims to be conducted by law firm Clifford Cha

An investigation into alleged bullying in the Conservative Party's youth wing has been taken out of the hands of the party.

Following a meeting of the Conservative Party board it was announced that the inquiry would be conducted "in its entirety" by the law firm, Clifford Chance.

It said the party chairman Lord Feldman and deputy chairman Rob Halfon will "recuse" themselves from the board meeting when it comes to consider Clifford Chance's report.

The board is also to bring in an "independent third party specialist" to undertake a separate review of the party's governance processes.