Mel Stride defended his Cabinet colleague Alister Jack after the latter admitted betting on the timing of the general election.

Mr Jack, the Scottish Secretary, said he had placed three bets – two in March and one in April – and insisted he had “not breached any gambling rules” and he was not under investigation by the Gambling Commission.

He denied earlier reports that he had won £2,100 on a wager, as he tried to dismiss the remarks, reported by the BBC, as a “joke”.

Asked about the “joke”, Mr Stride, the Work and Pensions Secretary, told Times Radio: “I don’t know. Politicians are criticised for being too serious and out of touch with people and need to loosen up a bit on the one hand.

“And on the other hand, if they make a joke here or there or whatever they are jumped on for being too frivolous.

“The important thing with Alister I think is the fact, as I have said, the bets that he placed did not occur in May. He is very clear that he has not broken any of the rules and is not indeed being investigated by the Gambling Commission.”