Rishi Sunak’s Aide Grilled by Gambling Commission Amid Election Betting Scandal

Rishi Sunak's key advisor, Craig Williams, was questioned by the Gambling Commission regarding a wager related to elections. Williams, who previously served as Sunak's parliamentary private secretary and was a Conservative candidate for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, has been expelled from the party.

Principal political reporter @joncraig

Wednesday, June 26, 2024, 4:

Sky News has learned that Craig Williams, a key parliamentary assistant to Rishi Sunak, has been questioned by officials from the Gambling Commission regarding his wager on when the general election would occur.

According to a source within the Gambling Commission, he was warned and questioned by two former police officers and an ex-HMRC official, who are currently investigators for the commission.

It is believed that the commission is currently engaged in an ongoing criminal probe, and depending on the findings, Mr. Williams may be subject to prosecution, receive a warning, or possibly face no additional consequences.

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Sources indicate that the interview commenced earlier today and continued following a break for lunch.

Mr. Williams, the parliamentary private secretary to Mr. Sunak and the Conservative candidate for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, was interviewed just a day after the Tory leadership announced its withdrawal of support for his election bid.

Following his removal as a candidate, Mr. Williams released a determined statement acknowledging he "made a grave mistake in judgment, not a crime," and announced his intention to persist in his campaign for the seat.

He stated, "I am fully cooperating with the standard investigations by the Gambling Commission and I plan to vindicate myself."

Mr. Williams emphasized the importance of following proper procedures, stating that "it's crucial that the commission is permitted to carry out its duties."

Further details: The controversy surrounding gambling on election outcomes intensifies as a Labour candidate is suspended for wagering on his own

Two weeks ago, it came to light that Mr. Williams made a wager of £100 on a July election, only three days prior to Mr. Sunak's election announcement on May 22.

It has been claimed that on Sunday, May 19, he made a wager at the Ladbrokes betting shop located in his constituency in Wales, which was the most secure seat for the Conservatives in Wales during the 2019 election, boasting a majority exceeding 12,000.

Acknowledging his wager, Mr. Williams stated, "I placed a bet on the general election a few weeks back."

"This has led to some standard investigations, and I assure you that I will completely cooperate with them."

A spokesperson for the Gambling Commission informed Sky News, "We do not provide details about the conduct of investigations."

Mr. Williams and the Conservative Party were also reached out to for a response.

The individuals also vying for seats in Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr include:

Jeremy Brignell-Thorp, represents the Green Party

Oliver Lewis, representing Reform UK

Glyn Preston, representing the Liberal Democrats

Elwyn Vaughan, from the Party of Wales

Steve Witherden, representing the Labour Party

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