Watchdog reportedly probing second Tory candidate over election betting

Posted by author June 20, 2024 Gambling

A senior Conservative Party lawmaker says it would be “reprehensible” for someone to use inside information to bet on the date of Britain’s national election amid growing allegations that politicians or people close to them used their positions to profit on the vote.

Asked on Thursday about reports that the UK’s Gambling Commission was investigating a second Conservative candidate for placing a bet on the date of the election, Michael Gove told the BBC that if people used inside information to bet, it would be “deeply wrong”.

British media including the PA news agency and the BBC reported Thursday that Tory candidate Laura Saunders, who is married to the Conservative Party’s director of campaigning, Tony Lee, is facing a commission investigation into alleged betting offences.

Conservative Party candidate for Bristol North West Laura Saunders. (Laura Saunders)

The Conservative Party said Britain’s Gambling Commission contacted it over a “small number of individuals” in connection with the investigation.

The party declined to immediately comment on the fresh allegation pending the commission investigation. But it said in a statement that Lee took a leave of absence from the party on Wednesday.

Gove said he could not discuss the details about the allegations because investigations are ongoing.

“But I can talk about the broad principle and you’re absolutely right, it’s reprehensible,” he told the BBC.

The date had been a closely guarded secret and many, even those in Sunak’s governing Conservative Party, were taken by surprise as a vote had been expected in the fall.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the date for the UK General Election in Downing Street on May 22. (Carl Court/Getty Images)

The constable in the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command was arrested Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the Metropolitan Police force said.

Last week, Sunak aide Craig Williams, who is running to be reelected to Parliament, acknowledged he was being investigated by the Gambling Commission for placing a £100 ($190) bet on a July election before the date had been announced.

Betting is popular in the UK, with bookies offering odds on everything from sports to elections. Cheating by acting on inside information can be a criminal offence.

You can get immediate assistance by calling the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 for free, professional and confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.