Up to five people – including a politician – may be prosecuted by the Gambling Commission as part of an investigation into insiders placing bets on when the snap election would take place.
At least three people – but potentially as many as five – could be charged. These include a politician and a bodyguard, according to Sky News.
Five Conservatives and five Met Police officers were among those investigated as part of the betting scandal, and one cabinet minister claimed he won thousands before backtracking and saying it was a joke.
A member of Rishi Sunak‘s close protection team was also arrested over an alleged bet.
The Gambling Commission is conducting a criminal investigation into ‘confidential information being used to gain an unfair advantage’ when betting on the date of the General Election.
The commission is investigating the offence of cheating and is ongoing, while a separate investigation by The Met Police was centred on offences of misconduct in public office.
The Met Police announced at the end of August its investigation had concluded with no action and it passed the investigation to the commission instead.
It’s an issue that dogged the Tories through the party’s campaign, dubbed ‘gamblegate’ by some.
‘Gamblegate’ plagued the Tories throughout their campaign
Craig Williams, the Conservative candidate for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, was placed under investigation over a £100 ‘flutter’ on the date of the election
Nick Mason, the chief data officer of the Conservative Party, was also investigated
The scandal emerged after it was revealed Mr Sunak’s closest aide Craig Williams was being investigated by the Gambling Commission for betting that the election would be in July, three days before it was called.
Labour then suspended a parliamentary candidate Kevin Craig after he reportedly bet on himself… putting a wager on himself losing. He insisted it was for charity, and said sorry to his party.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack also claimed that he won more than £2,100 betting on the date during an interview after the election. He later backtracked and said it was a ‘joke’ and he didn’t breach any rules.
The Conservative Party’s director of campaigning Tony Lee and his wife Laura Saunders – a candidate in Bristol North West – were also looked into as part of the probe.
Nick Mason, the chief data officer of the Conservative Party, was also investigated.
Welsh Conservative MP Russell George was the fifth Tory candidate to be investigated. He said in October he wasn’t ‘sure’ about the status of the probe and hadn’t heard from the commission in ‘some months’.
When the news broke in June, he stepped back from his job but later returned in October.
Andrew RT Davies, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said at the time: ‘Russell George has informed me that he has received a letter from the Gambling Commission regarding bets on the timing of the General Election.’
Michael Gove, the outgoing Housing Secretary, condemned the reports and likened the betting scandal to Partygate during Boris Johnson’s premiership.
‘It looks like one rule for them and one rule for us,’ he told the Sunday Times.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack also claimed that he won more than £2,100 betting on the date during an interview after the election
Tony Lee, the Conservative party’s director of campaigns, and his wife Laura Saunders, are also under investigation by the Commission
Lee’s wife, Laura Saunders, a Conservative candidate in the Bristol North West constituency, is also under investigation but said she is fully cooperating with the commission
‘If you’re in a privileged position [close] to the prime minister at the heart of a political operation and you use inside information to make additional money for yourself, that’s just not acceptable.’
When the allegations surfaced, Mr Sunak admitted he was ‘incredibly angry’.
The use of confidential information to gain unfair advantage when betting may constitute a criminal offence of cheating under section 42 of the Gambling Act.
Those convicted face an unlimited fine or up to two years in jail.
Andrew Rhodes, Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission, said: ‘We have remained focused on our criminal investigation into confidential information being used to gain an unfair advantage when betting on the date of the General Election.
‘Our investigation continues to progress and we have interviewed several suspects under caution. We are continuing to interview a number of witnesses, who are co-operating with this criminal investigation, as well as gathering further documentary and electronic evidence.
‘We clearly appreciate the level of public interest there is in this investigation but in order to protect the integrity of the investigation and to ensure a fair and just outcome, we are unable to comment further at this time, including the name of any person who may be under suspicion, or the total number of suspects.’
A member of Rishi Sunak ‘s close protection team was also arrested over an alleged bet
Five Met Police officers were among those investigated as part of the betting scandal
Former Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner Stephen Roberts, who also served as the Met’s director of professional standards, told LBC the behaviour of those involved in the scandal is ‘appalling’ and ‘shabby’.
Detective Superintendent Katherine Goodwin of The Met Police 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.
‘Seven police officers who are alleged to have placed bets are still among those being investigated by the Gambling Commission. They also remain under investigation by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards.’