Tory Election Turmoil: Party Withdraws Support Amid Betting Scandal as Sunak Faces Leadership Questions

The Conservative Party has withdrawn backing for two members caught up in a gambling scandal. Craig Williams and Laura Saunders are being investigated by the Gambling Commission. However, Rishi Sunak stated he would wait for the conclusion of the inquiry to determine their fate.

Political correspondent @alixculbertson

Tuesday, June 25, 2024, 6:

The Conservative Party has rescinded its backing for two members under investigation for gambling on when the general election would occur.

The election efforts of the Conservative Party have been thrown into turmoil following revelations that two of their candidates, two party officials, and a member of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's security detail are under investigation by the Gambling Commission for allegedly betting on when the election would occur.

The Prime Minister maintained that he needed to await the outcome of the Gambling Commission's investigation before intervening, yet he encountered demands to temporarily remove Craig Williams and Laura Saunders, the two Conservative candidates.

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On Tuesday morning, almost a fortnight since Mr. Williams came under investigation, the Conservative Party declared that they were withdrawing their support for individuals previously endorsed as Tory candidates.

Ms. Saunders is a candidate for Bristol North West, while Mr. Williams is running in the constituencies of Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, which was the sole Welsh constituency forecasted by last week's YouGov poll to likely go to the Conservatives.

Despite being listed as Conservative candidates on the ballot for next Thursday's election, they will no longer receive backing from the party for the remainder of the campaign and are not permitted to identify as Conservatives, due to the timing being too close to the election to amend the ballots.

In the Latest Political News:

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The gambling scandal impacting the Tories is on a completely different level compared to the issue faced by Labour

Labour Party candidate Kevin Craig was suspended following revelations that he placed bets

Solo stance

It is believed that their future as Conservatives post-election hinges on the findings of the Gambling Commission's inquiry.

Mr. Williams has announced that he will continue to contest for the same position he has occupied since 2019, this time as an independent candidate.

On X, he repeated his apology to the public and expressed that he was "fully cooperating" with the Gambling Commission's investigation, stating further: "I am dedicated to my campaign to be elected as your member of parliament and a fervent advocate."

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A spokesperson for the Conservative Party stated: "Following our continual internal investigations, we have decided to withdraw our support for Craig Williams and Laura Saunders as parliamentary candidates in the upcoming general election.

"We have confirmed with the Gambling Commission that our decision will not interfere with their ongoing and independent investigation."

Sky News has reached out to Ms. Saunders and Mr. Williams to request their comments.

Last week, following the disclosure of their identities, two officials began leaves of absence. They are Tony Lee, the Conservative Party's director of campaigns and spouse of Ms. Saunders, and Nick Mason, the party's head of data, who has refuted all allegations of misconduct.

A bodyguard assigned to Mr. Sunak has been taken into custody.

Sources tell Sky News that the number of individuals under scrutiny in the ongoing investigation has increased, and additional police officers are also being examined for potential involvement.

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What are the regulations governing gambling?

Gambling is subject to stringent regulations, which were most recently revised in 2005.

Article 42 of the 2005 Gambling Act addresses cheating, stipulating that an individual is guilty of an offence if they engage in cheating related to gambling activities or undertake any action with the intention of helping another individual to cheat at gambling.

It states: "It doesn't matter if someone who cheats enhances their chances of winning anything, or actually wins anything."

Cheating is described as any real or attempted fraud or disruption related to the operation of gambling, or any actual or digital game, race, event, or activity associated with gambling.

An individual convicted of fraud in gambling may face up to two years in jail and potentially a fine, or for a less serious charge, up to six months of incarceration.

Gambling using confidential information is also prohibited for Members of Parliament, as their code of conduct forbids them from "inflicting substantial harm on the reputation and integrity of the House."

Several prominent Conservatives have urged Mr. Sunak to suspend the candidates, including Sir Robert Buckland, a former justice secretary; Tobias Ellwood, a former defence minister; Steve Baker, who currently serves as a Northern Ireland minister; Home Secretary James Cleverly; and Baroness Ruth Davidson, who previously led the Scottish Conservatives.

On the "Electoral Dysfunction" podcast aired by Sky News, Baroness Davidson suggested that Mr. Sunak should disregard the watchdog and put a hold on the investigations.

'Ineffective management'

She stated: "The Gambling Commission has explicit rules regarding what cannot be discussed during an ongoing investigation by the Commission.

"Apologies, but as the leader of a G7 country engaged in an election campaign, you are battling fiercely for your political survival."

"If the Gambling Commission decides to criticize you for suspending someone and making that announcement, just go ahead. That's the essence of leadership."

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The Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats had likewise urged that the candidates be placed on suspension.

Labour Shadow Minister Jonathan Ashworth criticized the delay in suspending the candidates, stating it exemplifies the Conservatives' attitude that "they are subject to one set of rules, while everyone else follows another."

"He highlighted yet another instance of Rishi Sunak's remarkably feeble leadership, noting that it took him nearly two weeks to acknowledge what was clear to everyone else," he added.

The Tories who aimed to profit personally by speculating on the election timing should not be considered suitable parliamentary candidates.

"Rishi Sunak is now under pressure to fully disclose to the electorate nationwide the extent of involvement among his Conservative members and identify those implicated."

"The Tories have placed their wager against the UK"

Daisy Cooper, the deputy leader of the Lib Dems, stated: "This action should have been taken as soon as the shocking disclosures came to light, yet Rishi Sunak has hesitated and postponed."

Sunak needs to assure promptly that these contenders will be excluded from the Conservative party's whip if they win the election.

"In light of the recent mini budget and the unfolding gambling controversy, the Conservative Party has taken risks with the UK's future, and they are now bracing for the electoral consequences on July 4."

The individuals running for the Bristol North West seat include:

Caroline Gooch, representing the Liberal Democrats

Darren Jones, from the Labour

Scarlett O'Connor, representing Reform UK

Mary Page, representing the Green Party

Ben Smith, Social Democratic Party

The other individuals running for seats in Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr include:

Jeremy Brignell-Thorp, representing 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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