Labour has suspended parliamentary candidate Kevin Craig after being told the Gambling Commission has launched an investigation into him.
PR boss Mr Craig was standing in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich.
Mr Craig said he “deeply” regrets putting a bet on the Tories winning in the Suffolk constituency he is contesting and will “fully comply” with a Gambling Commission investigation.
It comes as five more Met Police officers have been accused of placing bets on the date of the general election, as the scandal continues to overshadow the campaign trails leading up to 4 July.
A Met Police spokesperson said the Gambling Commission passed on the information regarding the officers to the force as it continues to investigate.
“The officers have not been arrested but the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed,” they added.
The officers are based on the royalty and specialist command, the parliamentary and diplomatic protection command and the central west basic command unit.
It comes as the Tories suspended two candidates who are being investigated by the Gambling Commission.
Former Brexit minister Lord Frost has joined growing calls for the prime minister to explain why it took nearly two weeks to act.
The PM previously ruled out suspending the candidates until the independent body had concluded its investigation.
Ask a SNP candidate anything in exclusive Q&A session
The Independent is giving readers the chance to chat directly with candidates from some of the major political parties in a special general election series of Ask Me Anything events.
In one question and answer session, our community will be able to chat exclusively with SNP candidate Drew Hendry, who is looking to hold his seat on July 4.
In its manifesto, the party makes it plain that it wants to rejoin the European Union and the single market, and “reverse the damage of Brexit”.
That only looks likely to be an option if Scotland becomes independent, so it’s unsurprising that the SNP is also pledging to “intensify” the pressure to secure Scottish independence.
If you have a question about the SNP’s manifesto, pledges or policies submit it here.
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In full: Five more police alleged to have placed bets on election date
Another five police officers are alleged to have placed bets on the timing of the general election.
The Metropolitan Police said it had been passed information on the allegations from the Gambling Commission.
It came after Rishi Sunak finally bowed to pressure and withdrew the Conservative Party’s support for two candidates embroiled in the betting scandal.
The Tories have dropped Craig Williams and Laura Saunders, both of whom are linked to the prime minister’s inner circle and are under investigation by the commission.
But two weeks after allegations first emerged even a Conservative former cabinet minister asked “why did it take so long”.
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Ask a Green Party candidate anything in exclusive Q&A session
The Independent is giving readers the chance to chat directly with candidates from some of the major political parties in a special general election series of Ask Me Anything events.
In one of the sessions, our community will be able to chat exclusively with Dr Ellie Chowns, who is hoping to be elected MP in North Herefordshire for the Green Party.
Serving as the party’s housing and communities spokesperson, Dr Chowns served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the West Midlands for the party from 2019 to 2020. She has also been a councillor on Herefordshire Council since 2017, representing the Bishops Frome & Cradley ward, and is leader of the council’s Green group.
If you have a question about the Green Party’s manifesto, pledges or policies submit it here now.
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Cabinet minister said he made £2,000 betting on the election
A cabinet minister claimed that he won more than £2,000 betting on an election in July.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack told the BBC he had made £2,100 after betting on dates in June and July.
The BBC has now reported that last week Mr Jack said his comments were “a joke… I was pulling your leg”.
But today he told the broadcaster in a statement that he “did not place any bets on the date of the general election during May”.
Rishi Sunak announced his surprise decision to hold an election earlier than expected on 22 May.
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