David Cameron has said he feels "deeply" for the parents of a Tory party activist who killed himself amid allegations of bullying within the party.
The Prime Minister fuelled speculation that Grant Shapps will quit his ministerial job by telling reporters that a statement would be made on the former party chairman later today.
Elliott Johnson's parents have said they believe the 21-year-old would still be alive if Mr Shapps had behaved "responsibly".
Mr Cameron said: "It is a tragic loss of a talented young life. It is not something that any parent should have to go through and I feel for them deeply."
"I feel deeply for his parents."
Shapps has reportedly resigned after a new claim emerged that he failed to act on complaints about Tatler Tory Mark Clarke.
International Development Minister Mr Shapps was sent a complaint about Mr Clarke by former Tory Party chairman Sayeeda Warsi in January.
She was unhappy after he allegedly trolled her on Twitter.
“I raised my own concerns about Clarke with Grant Shapps and never received a satisfactory response,” said Baroness Warsi.
Her revelation is the latest claim that the Tory Party ignored complaints of bullying by senior activist Mr Clarke for a year before he was kicked out of the Conservatives.
The party also received a complaint of bullying by Mr Clarke from activist Elliott Johnson, 21, in August this year, shortly before Mr Johnson took his own life.
His death triggered an internal Tory Party inquiry and a slew of lurid allegations about sex, drugs and bullying in its youth wing.
Mr Clarke has since been expelled from the party for life amid claims he tried to blackmail and smear rivals.
READ MORE:Pally picture of Grant Shapp's aide and disgraced Tatler Tory Mark Clarke
He denies the allegations.
Baroness Warsi said: “During my time as chairman, Mark Clarke was never involved in any initiative that I was involved in or in any campaigning.
"He was effectively persona non grata, as far as I was concerned.”
Her letter to Mr Shapps, dated January 20, accuses Mr Clarke of publicly abusing her on Twitter and says: “I look forward to hearing from you as to what action you intend to take against … Mr Clarke”.
Mr Johnson’s father Ray Johnson said his son would still be alive if the Conservative Party and its chairmen Mr Shapps and Lord Feldman had acted responsibly.
READ MORE:Tory activist claims she 'woke up naked in MP’s bed with no memory of the night before'
“If they had behaved responsibly, like any other organisation, none of these events would have happened; my son would still be alive and many activists wouldn’t have been intimidated and harassed.”
A Tory spokeswoman said: “It is right to look properly at any allegations.
“An investigation is currently under way and it is not appropriate to comment until we can establish the facts.”