Election betting scandal explained – Channel 4 News

Several people including Conservative candidates, officials and police officers are being investigated for alleged betting on the date of the general election. The Labor candidate is also under scrutiny after betting on himself to lose his seat.

This is what we already know.

What is ‘inside information’ and you can go to prison for cheating in gambling?

You are not allowed to use “inside information” when placing a bet – or instruct someone else to do so for you. You are also not allowed to pass inside information to other people to use when betting.

Inside information is information that “will be known by an individual or individuals as a result of their role in relation to the event, and that is not in the public domain”. For example, knowing “that the election will be held on a certain date”, says Kate Bedford, professor of law and political economy at the University of Birmingham.

In the 2005 Gambling Act it is a criminal offense to cheat in gambling or to help others to cheat. The maximum penalty is up to two years in prison.

Which Conservatives are involved in the gambling line?

The prime minister’s parliamentary private secretary Craig Williams was the first person publicly caught up in the scandal.

Mr Williams – who is standing in the elections in Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr – placed a £100 bet that there would be a July election just three days before Mr Sunak named July 4 as the date, according to the Guardian. The newspaper reported the bet could result in a £500 payout.

Mr. Williams said in a statement on X on June 12: “I have been contacted by a journalist about the Gambling Commission questions to one of the accounts and thought it was best to be completely transparent.

“I made a flutter in the general election a few weeks ago. This has led to some routine inquiries and I confirm that I will cooperate with this.

“I don’t want to be a distraction from the campaign, I have to think about how it looks.”

A week later, it was revealed that the Gambling Commission is also looking into Laura Saunders – Conservative candidate in Bristol North West – and her husband, Tony Lee, who the party confirmed now in “leave no” from the job as the party’s campaign director, according to the Guardian.

In a statement, lawyer Laura Saunders said she “will cooperate with the Gambling Commission and has nothing to add.”

After almost two weeks of questions from journalists about the investigation, the prime minister announced yesterday that the party would formally withdraw its support from Ms Saunders and Mr Williams.

The Conservative Party issued a statement saying: “As a result of ongoing internal inquiries, we have concluded that we cannot support either Craig Williams or Laura Saunders as parliamentary candidates in the upcoming general election.

“We have checked with the Gambling Commission that this decision does not compromise the ongoing investigation, which is rightly independent and active.”

In response, Mr Williams said at X that he had “committed an error in punishment, not an offence” and “I’m going to clear my name”.

Ms Saunders and Mr Williams will still appear on the ballot under the Conservative party banner as it is now too late to reissue the ballot. But the support drawn by the party means that he will not get the resources of the party to fight for the seat.

The Sunday Times also reported on June 23 that the party’s data chief, Nick Mason, had been accused of making dozens of bets and had now left. The paper said that this bet could have generated thousands of pounds in winnings.

A spokesman for Mr Mason told the BBC it was not appropriate to comment during the investigation, but he denied any wrongdoing.

On 25 June, the BBC reported that Welsh Conservative Russell George was also being investigated “over betting at the time of the general election”.

Mr George, who holds the Montgomeryshire seat, announced he was “resigning” from the Senedd’s Conservative frontbench.

He said in a statement: “While I will cooperate with the Gambling Commission, it would not be appropriate to comment on this independent and confidential process.”

In the evening, BBC Newsnight reported that “up to 15 Conservative candidates and officials are being investigated for alleged betting in the run-up to the general election”.

How many police officers are investigated through political gambling line?

A police officer in Mr. Sunak’s close protection team was arrested on June 17 on suspicion of misconduct in public office after betting watchdogs contacted the force.

According to the Met, the officers – from Royalty Protection Command and Met Specialists – were detained and released pending further enquiries. He has been suspended and the case referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

The Met confirmed on June 25 that five other police officers were being investigated for alleged betting on election dates.

A Met Police spokesman said the five most recent officers had not yet been arrested, but confirmed the force’s director of professional standards had been informed, The Mirror reported.

The spokesman added: “A decision on whether to be subject to any restrictions will be made.”

Are any Labor members under investigation?

Kevin Craig, who is running as MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, has been suspended by the party over separate betting claims.

Sky News reported that a candidate has bet that he will lose the contest and the Gambling Commission has investigated him.

Labor confirmed Mr. Craig has been suspended by the party, but because the election is next week, he will still appear on the ballot paper with “Labor” next to his name.

He said in a statement at X: “When I didn’t make this bet knowing the outcome, it was a big mistake, for which I apologize endlessly”, adding: “I deeply regret what I have done and will do as a result of my mistake that stupid thing on the chin.”

Cabinet ministers ‘placed two unsuccessful bets’ and were ‘not investigated’ by regulators

The BBC has also reported that shortly after Mr Sunak announced the election date of May 22, Scottish Secretary and Scottish Conservative member Alister Jack told the broadcaster he had won £2,100 after betting on the June and July election dates.

But he later said the comment was “a joke … I’m pulling your leg”.

And Mr. Jack said in a statement on June 25: “After today’s report I want to be absolutely clear that I have not violated any gambling rules. I placed two successful bets on the date of the general election and one success. I placed two bets in March each £ 5 for the elections to be held in May and June respectively. In April, I put £20 on 5 to 1 in the elections held between July and September.

“I did not know the date of the election until the day it was called.

“As I have said before, I did not place a bet in May and was not investigated by the Gambling Commission.”

(Image credit: Maureen McLean/Shutterstock)