Welsh Secretary Denies Betting on Election Date Amidst Tory Gambling Scandal

Conservative Welsh Secretary officially states he did not wager on election timing

David TC Davies asserts he is unaware if additional individuals might be implicated in the Gambling Commission's probe into wagers made on the date of the general election.

Political journalist @Journoamrogers

Friday, June 21, 2024, 9:

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The Secretary for Wales from the Conservative Party has officially stated that he did not wager on the timing of the general election amid ongoing scrutiny surrounding a burgeoning scandal involving Rishi Sunak.

David TC Davies disclosed to Sky News that he did not wager on when the election would occur, following the probe into two Tory candidates by the Gambling Commission for reportedly doing the same.

Mr. Davies expressed that he was entirely unaware and taken aback upon learning that two candidates were under investigation.

Election update: Sunak 'extremely upset' amid campaign controversy

Laura Saunders, the Conservative candidate for Bristol North West, and her husband, Tony Lee, the party's campaign director, are under investigation by the Gambling Commission.

Ms. Saunders stated she "will cooperate with the Gambling Commission investigation," and her husband "has taken a leave of absence" from his position as of Wednesday evening, according to a statement from a Conservative Party spokesperson to Sky News.

The disclosure arrives seven days following an admission by Craig Williams, the prime minister's key parliamentary assistant and the Conservative representative for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, that he had placed a bet on the election outcome. Williams acknowledged that his actions had led to "some standard investigations," with which he was "completely cooperating."

An officer tasked with the personal security of Mr. Sunak has been taken into custody and placed on leave following accusations of making bets regarding when the election would occur.

An insider from the gambling sector informed Sky News that additional individuals are under scrutiny, although law enforcement has not been engaged in these instances.

However, Mr. Davies expressed that he was completely unaware if additional individuals would be identified in the ongoing inquiry by the commission.

"He said, "I was totally caught off guard by the news about them."

"I would like to clearly state that I have not placed any bets myself, and indeed, I have not wagered on anything for a long time.

"I was unaware of the upcoming election until possibly that very morning. I had a suspicion, but wasn't completely sure even at that time, and I'm clueless about whether anyone has made any wagers or what additional inquiries might be underway."

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Mr. Davies stated, "I echo the Prime Minister's sentiments – it is completely unacceptable for anyone to have violated the rules. The Gambling Commission is conducting an investigation, which I fully support. Should anyone be found guilty of breaching the rules, they will be expelled from the Conservative Party."

During the BBC's Question Time leader's special on Thursday, the prime minister expressed his intense frustration upon hearing the allegations, describing them as a "very serious issue."

When questioned about why individuals under suspicion had not been suspended, Mr. Sunak explained that an investigation must occur initially. However, he affirmed that anyone found guilty would be expelled from the party.

Further reading: Sunak Faces Mixed Reviews on 'Question Time'; Ex-Conservative Minister Supports Labour

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The Labour Party has urged Mr. Sunak to immediately suspend the individuals in question.

In an interview with Sky News, Labour's shadow science secretary, Peter Kyle, emphasized that Keir Starmer had made it clear the previous day that if a Labour candidate were involved in a similar situation, they would have been swiftly dismissed.

When asked about the prime minister's view that the investigation should continue, Mr. Kyle responded, "We're in the midst of the general election campaign. In two weeks, voters across the nation will head to the polls to cast their ballots."

"Rishi Sunak is evidently at ease… comfortably engaging in campaigns with Members of Parliament… permitting his team members to present a vision for the future to the public, a vision promoted by individuals currently facing investigations."

Complete roster of contenders for Bristol North West:

• Caroline Gooch represents the Liberal Democrats.

• Darren Jones is a member of the Labour Party.

• Scarlett O'Connor is affiliated with Reform UK.

• Mary Page is part of the Green Party.

• Laura Saunders stands for the Conservative and Unionist Party.

• Ben Smith is from the Social Democratic Party.

Complete roster of contenders for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr:

• Jeremy Brignell-Thorp represents the Green Party

• Oliver Lewis is a candidate for Reform UK

• Glyn Preston is from the Liberal Democrats

• Elwyn Vaughan is a member of Plaid Cymru (The Party of Wales)

• Craig Williams is running for the Conservative and Unionist Party

• Steve Witherden is affiliated with the Labour Party

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