Scotland Yard yesterday announced it has dropped its criminal investigation into allegations of insider betting on the date of the general election.
One of Rishi Sunak’s aides and other senior party figures were alleged in June to have bet on the election date before it was formally announced by the Prime Minister.
The claims saw the Conservatives mired in controversy in the early days of the campaign and led the party to withdraw support from several candidates who were alleged to have made bets.
The Metropolitan Police launched a criminal investigation and arrested one police officer, believed to be part of Mr Sunak’s close protection team, on suspicion of misconduct in public office. A total of seven officers were alleged to have placed bets.
Yesterday, the force said its investigation had concluded that the bar for misconduct in public office had not been met and the matter now lay with the Gambling Commission. The commission is still undertaking a separate investigation into whether the alleged bets broke laws on ‘cheating’.
One of Rishi Sunak ‘s aides and other senior Conservatives were accused in June of betting on the date of the election before it was announced
The Met said it would take no further criminal action, including against the officer who had been arrested.
But those embroiled in the scandal could still face criminal charges as a result of the Gambling Commission’s inquiry.
The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards is likewise continuing to investigate the seven officers alleged to have placed bets on the election date.
Det Supt Katherine Goodwin said: ‘These allegations caused a significant dent in public confidence during the election campaign and it was right that they were investigated to explore all possible offences.
‘While our involvement in the criminal investigation now ceases, it’s important that is not misinterpreted as an all-clear for those whose cases were looked at.
‘There are still Gambling Act offences to consider and it is appropriate that they are taken forward by investigators from the Gambling Commission who have particular expertise in this field.’
Gambling Commission chief executive Andrew Rhodes said his organisation had already interviewed ‘several suspects’ under caution and continued to speak to witnesses and gather documentary and electronic evidence.
Craig Williams (pictured) admitted having a ‘flutter’ on the election date shortly before it was announced
The gambling scandal was triggered by revelations Mr Sunak’s former parliamentary private secretary Craig Williams admitted having a ‘flutter’ on the election date shortly before it was announced.
The Conservatives eventually withdrew support for Mr Williams as their candidate for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, along with Bristol North West candidate Laura Saunders, who was also alleged to have placed a bet.
Ms Saunders’ husband, Tony Lee, the Conservative Party’s director of campaigning, and Tory chief data officer Nick Mason took leaves of absence during the campaign after being implicated in the scandal, while Senedd member Russell George stepped back from the shadow cabinet in the Welsh Parliament after being placed under investigation.