Voters feel “genuine disgust” at the betting scandal engulfing the Conservative Party, the shadow education secretary has said.
Labour’s Bridget Phillipson said it was “pretty shocking behaviour” after Nick Mason became the latest Tory to be investigated over claims he used inside information to bet on the date of the general election before it was called.
“The issue here is that whether those people who had inside knowledge of what was going on used that information in placing a bet,” Ms Phillipson told the BBC
“People across the country will place bets, but I think there is genuine disgust amongst so many voters that what we’re seeing here is pretty shocking behaviour.”
She added: “Rishi Sunak promised us that his government would be different, he hasn’t acted against candidates concerned, he should suspend them, and – as Michael Gove has said – this just reminds people of the worst excesses of the Conservatives over the last 14 years.”
A spokesman for Mr Mason told The Sunday Times, which named him as the fourth Conservative to be probed by the Gambling Commission, that he denies any wrongdoing.
Recap: Everything we know about Tory election betting scandal
What are the rules for MPs and others on betting with inside knowledge?
Using confidential information to gain an unfair advantage when betting may constitute a criminal offence.
Gamblers are not allowed to use inside information to place a bet or to instruct someone else to do so on their behalf.
Matt Mathers23 June 2024 14:10
Everything we know about Tory election betting scandal
Nick Mason, the party’s data chief, has taken a leave of absence after becoming the latest Tory to be reportedly investigated by the Gambling Commission for allegedly betting on the timing of the election before the date had been announced.
Matt Mathers23 June 2024 13:50
ICYMI: Tories believe Sunak ‘has given up’ after surprise auction lot admission at fundraiser
The event at the Hurlingham Club, one of London’s most exclusive venues, on Thursday, was meant to be one of the party’s major fundraisers during the year, and came in the middle of an election campaign where the Tories have, according to insiders, run out of money.
Matt Mathers23 June 2024 13:30
Who’s funding the forthcoming election? From supermarket heirs to entrepreneurs
Wealthy donors aiming to woo Sir Keir Starmer’s party ahead of their likely win in next month’s election have helped Labour overtake the Tory party in receiving political donations, latest figures show.
Matt Mathers23 June 2024 13:09
Watch: Tory aide describing Rwanda policy as ‘cr**’ was for dramatic effect, says Cleverly
Tory aide describing Rwanda policy as ‘cr**’ was for dramatic effect, says Cleverly
A Conservative aide who described the government’s Rwanda policy as “crap” was doing so for “dramatic effect,” James Cleverly has said. James Sunderland, a Tory candidate and Mr Cleverly’s parliamentary private secretary, asked if anyone has their phones on before making the remark, in a leaked recording obtained by the BBC and published by the Labour Party. Mr Cleverly told Trevor Phillips that Mr Sunderland was “very supportive” of the policy. “He was saying that the impact, the effect, is what matters.” Mr Cleverly added: “He did it clearly for dramatic effect to grab the attention of the audience.”
Matt Mathers23 June 2024 12:45
Voters are ‘genuinely disgusted’ by betting scandal – Phillipson
Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson has said there is “genuine disgust” among voters over the general election betting allegations, Archie Mitchell reports.
Asked if she had ever put a bet on a political event, Ms Phillipson told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: “No, I don’t think, it’s only a few occasions in my life where I’ve ever gambled full stop, it’s not really my thing.
“I don’t think that’s really the point. The issue here is that whether those people who had inside knowledge of what was going on used that information in placing a bet.
“People across the country will place bets, but I think there is genuine disgust amongst so many voters that what we’re seeing here is pretty shocking behaviour.
“Rishi Sunak promised us that his Government would be different, he hasn’t acted against candidates concerned, he should suspend them, and – as Michael Gove has said – this just reminds people of the worst excesses of the Conservatives over the last 14 years.”
Matt Mathers23 June 2024 11:52
Public money not used on stamps for our campaign, Swinney insists
Scotland’s first minister has been “assured” by his staff that no stamps bought on Holyrood expenses were used for party campaigning.
The SNP is currently under investigation by Scottish parliament officials following a complaint that public money was being used.
Reports on Sunday suggest Mr Swinney’s own office manager had said the “stamp fairy is very useful when it comes to campaigns” in a WhatsApp group chat with other office managers.
“I’ve obviously discussed this with my staff and I’ve been assured that no parliamentary stamps that have been provided by parliament have been used to support election purposes,” he said on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.
He later added he was “confident” there has not been any use of public money to prop up the SNP’s campaign.
Matt Mathers23 June 2024 11:09
‘Coal miners of this generation’
Sharon Graham, leader of the Unite trade union, has warned the Labour manifesto risks allowing oil and gas workers to become “the coal miners of this generation”.
Speaking to Sky’s Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips programme, Ms Graham said: “There were good things in the manifesto and I want Labour to win.
“But whilst there are things in there around moving to net zero – and everybody wants to do that – you cannot allow oil and gas workers to become the coal miners of this generation.
“I won’t allow that to happen and because of that I could not endorse the manifesto.”
Matt Mathers23 June 2024 10:50
Sunak attacks Starmer over Brexit
The prime minister has used the anniversary of the EU referendum to attack Sir Keir Starmer’s attempts to reverse Brexit, Archie Mitchell reports.
Rishi Sunak said: “8 years ago today, I proudly voted for Brexit.
“While we delivered on the will of the people, Keir Starmer tried to reverse your vote.
“That’s the difference between us.”
Matt Mathers23 June 2024 10:13
Cleverly: I’m working closely with EU leaders to stop the boats
James Cleverly has said he is working closely with leaders across the European Union to stop small boat arrivals in the UK.
The home secretary insisted that the Rwanda plan was working as a deterrent when pressed on why 12,000 people – up on the same period last year – had made the treacherous journey so far in 2024.
He told the BBC: “When those first flights take off it will have a shock wave – the point is, we and other European nations who are also struggling with the numbers of people…that the people smugglers are pushing through the European countries – we work together, I speak regularly – still, even though there’s an election called, I still conversely regularly with interior ministers across Europe. This is a Europe-wide challenge.”
Matt Mathers23 June 2024 10:08
