The Tory party has distanced itself from two potential candidates who are under police investigation for allegedly making suspicious wagers on the timing of the upcoming general election. Craig Williams, a parliamentary assistant to Rishi Sunak for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr, as well as Laura Saunders, who was running for Bristol North West, have lost the support of their party. Ms Saunders, who happens to be married to the Conservatives’ campaign chief, Tony Lee, is now on leave.
The party’s representative conveyed that the decision to withdraw their backing for Williams and Saunders was taken after internal review. The Gambling Commission, which is conducting an independent inquiry into the potentially illicit bets, has been consulted and this decision will not impede the ongoing probe.
Sunak’s decision to isolate Williams and Saunders is seen as the most recent move to mitigate the shockwaves from the betting scandal which has destabilised his election campaign for two weeks now.
New information pointed out that one of Sunak’s personal Metropolitan police bodyguards was recently arrested and questioned about allegations of betting on the upcoming election by exploiting information gained from their job role.
The tip that led to the officer’s arrest came from a Gambling Commission probe into the strange activity surrounding the casting of wagers on the timing of the general election. Additional data passed on to the Metropolitan police by the Gambling Commission indicates that more officers might have placed questionable bets on the timing of the election.
A total of four Tory politicians and officials are under investigation for their role in making these bets.
Recent information obtained by the commission prompted the Metropolitan police to consider the possibility of further officers placing such wagers, and to determine the necessary course of action.
As part of its ongoing investigations, the Gambling Commission is thoroughly assessing the details it has regarding any questionable wagers placed on election timings.
The Metropolitan police wouldn’t comment on the number of officers implicated in the fresh inquiries. The force stated it was in touch with the Gambling Commission and evaluating the information provided, but did not disclose how many officers may be involved.
Contrary to a newspaper report that suggests a Conservative source implied it had divulged details about the Gambling Commission’s investigation into the Conservatives, the force has responded. High ranking officials are reportedly incensed by what they perceive as an attempt to divert focus from the current difficulties plaguing the Conservatives. A representative from the Metropolitan police expressed that the accusations of the force leaking information are baseless.
Another individual denounced the manoeuvre as a feeble deflection tactic. In a communique to the Labour Party’s national campaign head, Pat McFadden, the Commission’s CEO, Andrew Rhodes, remarked that they had urged all parties they’ve engaged with to maintain discretion on the matter. Notwithstanding, Mr Rhodes clarified that such a confidentiality clause did not preclude other actions concerning the fact that an investigation was in progress.
The Gambling Commission is scrutinising the use of secret information for making bets, potentially a case of cheating, a criminal act. The applicable law in this regard is section 42 of the 2005 Gambling Act, punishable by a fine or a jail term of up to two years. The law defines cheating at gambling as doing anything that aids or facilitates another to cheat at gambling. The law further states that it is irrelevant whether the cheating individual improves their odds of winning or actually wins anything. [Source: Guardian]