A YOUNG Tory party official tipped for Westminster stardom was found dead in bed by his fiance following a drink and drugs binge, an inquest heard.

George Askew, 32, had been an election agent for his local Conservative MP and was also a Regional Director for the EU ''Vote Leave'' campaign who had campaigned with Boris Johnson.

But he also drank heavily and would smoke heroin, snort cocaine and take the horse tranquiliser Ketamine for ''recreational'' purposes.

Last February his body was found by his bride-to-be Laura Makinson, 32, at their home in Warton, near Carnforth, after he went to sleep in the spare room having drunk beer and virtually an entire bottle of wine.

Tests showed he had died from bronchopneumonia, caused by taking heroin. A small, blue tube was found in his dressing gown pocket containing traces of the drug. Police said they were unable to unlock his mobile phone to look for clues as to who supplied Mr Askew with the drugs.

The brief 20 minute inquest was held into Mr Askew's death without any family members present at the request of his brother Max.

Mr Askew, a rugby and American Football fan had been educated at Lancaster Royal Grammar School and Essex University before becoming an election agent for Pendle Conservatives in 2007. He was later elected as a Conservative councillor onto Pendle Council in 2008, and then onto the Carnforth and Millhead ward on Lancashire County Council the following year.

During his political career Mr Askew helped mastermind general election victories in both 2010 and 2015 for pro-Brexit Tory MP Andrew Stephenson. He then appointed a regional director of the Vote Leave campaign ahead of the EU referendum. Last November 26, he successfully stood for election to Lancaster City Council.

In a statement read to the Preston hearing Miss Makinson said: "George and I began a relationship in October 2014 and in May 2015 we moved in together. On Friday 12 February we spent the evening together watching a film and George had almost a bottle of wine and a small bottle of beer. He went to sleep in the spare room.

"I woke up at 8:30am on Saturday 12 and left the house at 8:55am, he was still asleep. He was clearly alive as he was still snoring. At 1pm I went to take him a drink and he was no longer breathing, his face was a grey and he was cold to the touch.

"I called 999 and spoke to an operator who told me to put him on the floor and begin performing CPR. Paramedics arrived soon after.

"I would not say George had a healthy lifestyle, he would often drink alcohol through the week and would drink heavily at the weekend. He would drink in excess of half a bottle of spirits. Recreational drugs included cocaine and I'm aware he previously smoked heroin. January 24, 2016 was the last time he used cocaine which was during a night in at home as far as I'm aware.

"On reflection, when I last checked on George, before I found him dead, his breathing had changed and I would compare this to the death rattle. Every time I checked on him he was on his back asleep."

Det Insp Beverley Foster from Lancashire Police, said: "At 3pm that afternoon I attended the address and was informed that George had previously taken recreational drugs, cocaine, heroin and ketamine.

"A small blue tube pipe was found in his dressing gown pocket. The mobile phone belonging to him was pin locked and not accessible to any investigation to who gave him drugs. There are no suspicious circumstances and no third party involvement."

Dr Sarah Hauxwell, who carried out the post-mortem examination, said Mr Askew died from bronchopneumonia, caused by taking heroin.

She said: "This is a 32 year old man who's clinical history includes use of illicit drugs. He had consumed alcohol prior to death and blood and urine demonstrated the presence of heroin/morphine. There could be a risk of toxicology arising in a frequent user.

"The likely sequence of events are that he ingested the heroin/morphine and his conscious level dropped leading to bronchopneumonia which leads to the death."

Coroner Claire Hammond, concluded that Mr Askew died from a drug related death after toxicology reports found 513 milligrams per litre of heroin in his system and 4,260mg per litre of M3G (Morphine-3-glucuronide), a metabolite of morphine.

She said: "The cause of death would appear to fit with the background circumstances in terms of his occasional drug use. And in circumstances with the police finding the blue tube with traces of heroin. George Askew died of a drug related death. I would like to take this opportunity to offer my condolences to Mr Askew's family at what is inevitably a very difficult time in their lives."

At the time of Mr Askew's death warm tributes were paid to him Miss Makinson and Mr Stephenson. Miss Makinson posted a messsge on Facebook saying how devastated she was at the loss of her “best friend, future husband, my George”.

She said: “Coming just three weeks after my father’s funeral it’s safe to say what I have experienced in these last few days is indescribable and beyond words. This is the start of one of the most difficult journeys a person has to take - to learn to live without their loved one.''

Mr Stephenson said : “I’m utterly devastated by the sudden death of my best friend and former election agent George Askew. George was the driving force behind my election in 2010 and re-election in 2015. His support and guidance are one of the main reasons I represent Pendle today.

“I have no doubt that George was destined for great things which makes his untimely death even harder to bear. I have not only lost a valued colleague but a dear friend. ''

David Morris, Tory MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale said: “I have known George for a number of years and have always been impressed by his tenacity, loyalty and dedication. I have no doubt that George was destined for great things, which makes this news even harder to digest.''