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Activate now denies launch as row over "gas the chavs" comments escalates
Tory campaign group Activate was in disarray yesterday after it was forced to issue a statement denying it had ever launched following a string of sickening messages circulating on social media.

Sickening comments posted in a Tory WhatsApp group calling for "chavs to be gassed" were leaked on Wednesday night, with screenshots of the comments circulated on social media after they were published on the Guido Fawkes blog - run by Tory supporter Paul Staines.

The WhatsApp group was alleged to be a part of the new Tory organisation Activate, a campaign seen as the Tories’ attempt to appeal to young voters.

Members of the group swapped offensive messages including one calling for "Chavocide" and another describing working-class people as "vermin" who populate at high rates.

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