Up to 15 Tories ‘being investigated by Gambling Commission over betting scandal’

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Controversy has now cut through more with public than anger over PM’s D-Day departure, poll shows



As many as 15 Conservative candidates and officials are under investigation by the Gambling Commission over bets on the date of the general election, it has been claimed.

On Tuesday, two Tory candidates were suspended over allegations that they put money on a July date, with Rishi Sunak facing criticism for failing to act sooner.

The party has withdrawn its support for Craig Williams, Mr Sunak’s parliamentary aide, and Laura Saunders, who is on the ballot for Bristol North West.

‌Russell George, the Tories’ deputy chief whip in Wales, has become the latest party figure to be publicly named as part of the investigation.

Victoria Derbyshire, the BBC Newsnight presenter, told viewers on Tuesday night that the number of Tories being scrutinised could be higher.

‌“In our investigation, I’ve found that up to 15 Conservative Party candidates and officials are being scrutinised for alleged betting on the timing of the election,” she said.

‌“I’ve also learnt that Craig Williams, the former close aide to Rishi Sunak who lost his party’s support today, is expected to be interviewed this week by Gambling Commission officials.”

‌However, The Telegraph understands that the Conservative Party does not recognise the number cited by Ms Derbyshire.

‌The Gambling Commission has not responded to calls from the Labour frontbench to name all the public figures under investigation.

‌The developments were a further blow to the Tory election campaign following a row over Mr Sunak leaving D-Day commemorations early.

‌A YouGov poll on Tuesday night suggested the gambling controversy has now cut through more with the public than the anger over Mr Sunak’s D-Day departure did.

‌Scotland Yard has confirmed that the Gambling Commission is looking at five more of its police officers over election bets – as The Telegraph revealed on Monday – after one from Mr Sunak’s close protection team was arrested.

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‘At least’ seven Met officers under investigation over general election bets



The number of Metropolitan police officers under investigation over bets on the timing of the general election has risen to at least seven, the force has said.

Britain’s biggest police force said it would continue to investigate a “small number” of wagers as part of a joint investigation led by the Gambling Commission.

Sources familiar with the investigation suggested the decision to run parallel inquires could be an attempt to dampen the frenzy around MPs betting on themselves to win or lose their seats, which may be considered unwise but is not illegal.

The Gambling Commission and the Met are focusing on whether the alleged use of confidential information constitutes cheating under criminal law.

Six Met officers had already been caught up in the scandal, with one, a protection officer for the prime minister, under investigation for misconduct in public office after allegedly placing bets on the election date.

The close protection officer has been bailed and is subject to restricted duties, the Met said.

It confirmed that “at least” seven officers were under investigation by the Met’s specialist crime command.

In a statement, the Met said the majority of cases – believed to be those without specific features that could mean additional offences apply – would be investigated by the Gambling Commission.

Det Supt Katherine Goodwin, who is leading the Met investigation, said: “We have agreed a joint approach with the Gambling Commission, who are the appropriate authority to investigate the majority of these allegations. There will, however, be a small number of cases where a broader criminal investigation by the police is required. We will aim to provide updates at key points as our investigation progresses.”