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A former Tory activist who appeared to offer to “broker” the hiring of contract killers in an undercover film report previously worked for Conservative headquarters.<\/b><\/p>\n
Jack Ross was contracted to do social media work for the party until earlier this year, the BBC has been told.<\/p>\n
It comes after Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch referred to them as “shocking allegations”, adding that she did not “believe that person is a member anymore”.<\/p>\n
A Conservative spokesman said Ross’s party membership had “been suspended with immediate effect pending an investigation”. It has reported that Ross said his words were not meant to be taken seriously.<\/p>\n
Ross was paid to provide social media advice to the party for a brief period, the BBC has been told. He was never an employee or Conservative Campaign Headquarters pass holder. <\/p>\n
However, he met Badenoch on several occasions as part of his role as chief executive of Turning Point UK, an offshoot of a right-wing American organisation. <\/p>\n
Ross has also met several other right-wing politicians including the former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader.<\/p>\n
In undercover filming broadcast this week by Al Jazeera, Ross appears to offer to “broker” the services of contract killers. <\/p>\n
The Al Jazeera report said its undercover journalist approached Ross in 2022 with a fictitious situation of a family business at risk of being taken over by a criminal gang.<\/p>\n
Ross is alleged to have asked the undercover reporter what was needed from him, and listed violent options that could be bought including stabbing, shooting and killing.<\/p>\n
Al Jazeera said Ross denied the finding “completely” and claimed everything he said to the reporter was not meant seriously.<\/p>\n
Turning Point UK has been approached for comment. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n