The Samaritans have accused the head of a gambling lobby group, the former Labour MP Michael Dugher, of “twisting” its guidance on suicide to minimise links to the betting industry.

The charity’s chief executive said she was “appalled” at how Dugher, head of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), had deployed its guidance during evidence to a parliamentary committee.

Julie Bentley said that the former shadow culture secretary, who stood down as an MP in 2017, had used “diversionary tactics” to defend the gambling sector similar to those previously adopted by tobacco firms.

She has raised concerns about the comments in letters sent to Dugher and Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, the chairwoman of the parliamentary culture, media and sport committee.

The criticism comes amid intense