NEW 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.

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.

Others suggested using “chavs” as “substitutes for animals when testing” with one member writing: “Can we just introduce compulsory birth control?”

The group were warned to be careful as the conversation was “turning to a nazi chat”, although it continued until others intervened to stop them.

It was the latest in a string of gaffes by the so-called “Tory Momentum” group — set up to try to woo the youth vote — which has been subjected to widespread derision since its “non-launch” earlier this week.

Activate’s website quickly removed a list of key people after it was criticised for appearing to include only men.