Expanding Betting Scandal Engulfs Tory Campaign as More Names Surface; Candidate Considers Legal Action

Additional individuals anticipated to be implicated in gambling controversy – as Conservative candidate pledges full cooperation

Currently, investigations are underway involving two Conservative candidates suspected of placing bets on the outcome of the July 4th election, one of whom is Laura Saunders, spouse of the Conservative campaign chief.

Political correspondent @alixculbertson

Thursday, June 20, 2024, 6:

According to a source within the gambling sector, Sky News has learned that additional politicians are under scrutiny for wagering on when the general election will occur.

Two Conservative party members are currently under scrutiny by the Gambling Commission for supposedly betting on the outcome of the contest held on July 4.

A person familiar with the matter informed Sky News that additional individuals are under consideration, but noted that the police have not been engaged.

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The investigation into Laura Saunders, the Conservative candidate for Bristol North West, could potentially cause more disruption for Rishi Sunak's campaign, following the revelation on Thursday that she is under scrutiny by the regulatory authority.

She has been employed by the party since 2015 and is the wife of Tony Lee, the Conservative Party's campaign director.

Mr. Lee "stepped away from his duties" on Wednesday evening, according to a statement from a Conservative Party spokesperson to Sky News.

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The specific amount of money Ms. Saunders wagered and the timing of her bet remain unclear.

In her Thursday afternoon announcement, she mentioned that she will be "collaborating with the Gambling Commission" on their inquiry.

She additionally mentioned that she is contemplating "taking legal measures against the BBC," alleging that their early report was "untimely" and "violated her privacy rights."

The complete declaration, issued by Ms. Saunders' lawyer, mentioned: "The Conservative Party has previously acknowledged that investigations are continuing.

Ms. Saunders will collaborate with the Gambling Commission and has no additional comments at this time.

Carrying out such an inquiry through the media channels is unsuitable and poses a threat to compromising the efforts of the Gambling Commission as well as the integrity of its investigation.

"The release of the BBC's report came too soon and unmistakably violates Ms. Saunders' rights to privacy. She is contemplating taking legal steps against the BBC and any other entities that breach her privacy rights."

The event occurred just seven days following the revelation that Craig Williams, the Prime Minister's key aide in Parliament and the Conservative representative for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, had wagered on an election being called in July, a mere three days prior to the official announcement by the Prime Minister.

The personal security guard assigned to the prime minister has been detained and placed on leave due to accusations involving gambling on when the election would occur.

Sources within the Labour Party's campaign team revealed to Sky News that they observed a tightening of the betting odds for a July election just a day before Mr. Sunak's announcement on May 22.

On Sky News' "Breakfast with Kay Burley," Michael Gove, the Levelling Up Secretary who is resigning after 19 years in parliament, expressed his sentiments, stating, "It's deeply disappointing and upsetting."

"However, I must point out that this is more of an anomaly than a standard occurrence."

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He subsequently expressed that the entire incident is "extremely unfortunate," and noted, "I can describe how the world will perceive it, which certainly isn't positive."

Following the investigation into Ms Saunders' wager, the Conservatives removed a social media post from the previous day that included a video of a roulette wheel and was captioned: "Betting on Labour means you're always a loser."

A spokesperson for the Conservative Party informed Sky News that the Gambling Commission has reached out regarding a few individuals.

"Given that the Gambling Commission operates autonomously, it would be inappropriate to make additional comments until the conclusion of the process."

A spokesperson for the Gambling Commission stated to Sky News that the agency oversees gambling activities to protect consumers and the general public.

The commission is currently examining potential violations related to the election date. As the investigation is still active, the commission is unable to release any additional information at this moment.

"We neither confirm nor deny the identities of anyone associated with this investigation."

Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer has demanded the suspension of Ms. Saunders, stating that Prime Minister Sunak's failure to do so is quite revealing.

"He added that if it were one of his candidates, they would be out so fast their feet wouldn't even touch the ground."

The detained officer is part of the Metropolitan Police's Royalty and Specialist Protection (RaSP) Command, responsible for the close personal security of VIP government officials and the Royal Family.

How is gambling regulated?

Gambling is governed by stringent regulations, with the most recent updates to the laws occurring in 2005.

Article 42 of the Gambling Act 2005 addresses the issue of cheating, stipulating that an individual is guilty of an offense if they engage in deception during gambling activities or undertake any action intended to help another individual cheat in any form of gambling.

The statement further clarifies: "The significance does not lie in whether an individual who cheats enhances their chances of winning or actually secures a win."

Cheating is described as the "genuine or attempted act of deceit or disruption related to the process through which gambling activities are carried out, or any actual or simulated game, race, or other event or process that is associated with gambling."

An individual convicted of fraud in gambling may face up to two years in jail and could also be fined. For a minor violation, the sentence can be as brief as six months in prison.

Engaging in gambling activities using privileged information is also prohibited for Members of Parliament, as the MPs' code of conduct forbids members from "inflicting substantial harm to the reputation and integrity of the House."

Sky News has learned that the officer made multiple bets, including at least one that amounted to a sum in the hundreds.

The Metropolitan Police stated that the issue was promptly forwarded to the department's directorate of professional standards on June 14, leading to the launch of an investigation. Additionally, the officer involved was reassigned away from field duties.

In an announcement, the Metropolitan Police declared: "The officer was detained on Monday, June 17, under allegations of misconduct in public office. He has been taken into custody and released on bail while further investigations are underway."

Mr. Sunak expressed his disappointment in Mr. Williams following revelations last week that he had placed a bet on a July election.

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Mr. Williams, who served as Mr. Sunak's parliamentary private secretary, is under scrutiny following allegations that he placed a bet on the general election just three days before the announcement of its July 4th date.

At that moment, the betting odds were 5 to 1, and he wagered £100, which could have resulted in a return of £500.

In his statement, he mentioned that his bet on the election led to some "standard investigations" and he would "completely collaborate with them."

He expressed regret over the oversight, noting, "It was never my intention to divert attention from the campaign. I realize now I should have considered the appearance of my actions."

Sky News reached out to Ms. Saunders seeking her response, but she has not responded.

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The individuals running for election in Bristol North West include:

Caroline Gooch, representing the Liberal Democrats

Darren Jones, representing the Labour

Scarlett O'Connor, representing Reform UK

Mary Page, representing the Green Party

Ben Smith, Social Democratic Party

The contenders for the Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr seats include:

Jeremy Brignell-Thorp, Representative of the Green Party

Oliver Lewis, representing Reform UK

Glyn Preston, representing the Liberal Democrats

Elwyn Vaughan, from the Party of Wales

Steve Witherden, from the Labour Party

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