Insider gambling scandal has put UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak under immense pressure ahead of the elections.
A member of his security detail was arrested for allegedly betting on the timing of the general election. The Metropolitan Police was alerted by the Gambling Commission, which had been investigating the claims.
Conservative party candidates Craig Williams and Laura Saunders are also under scrutiny for similar alleged bets on the election date, prompting demands for an inquiry.
Meanwhile, the campaign chief for Sunak’s Conservative Party Tony Lee stepped aside as announced on Thursday following reports that both he and his candidate wife Laura Saunders were also allegedly involved in the betting scam.
The Gambling Commission informed the police about the close protection officer, who was then investigated. The investigation broadened as Conservative candidate Craig Williams and now Laura Saunders, the spouse of the Tories’ director of campaigns, fell under suspicion for their own alleged bets.
The Conservative party acknowledged contact from the Gambling Commission regarding a “small number of individuals” but withheld further comments. Senior minister Michael Gove remarked on the situation, emphasizing the impropriety of using private information for profit.
“The broad principle of using inside information to place bets is reprehensible,” Gove told the BBC, ” If people used inside information to bet, it would be “deeply wrong.”
Meanwhile, Daisy Cooper, the deputy leader of the opposition Liberal Democrats, called for a thorough investigation.
“This stinks of yet more sleaze, and answers are needed. An inquiry is needed to understand who knew what and when,” said Cooper.
This controversy follows Sunak’s sudden announcement to hold the general election on July 4, despite having six more months to schedule it., surprising many within his party.
(With inputs from agencies)
A member of his security detail was arrested for allegedly betting on the timing of the general election. The Metropolitan Police was alerted by the Gambling Commission, which had been investigating the claims.
Conservative party candidates Craig Williams and Laura Saunders are also under scrutiny for similar alleged bets on the election date, prompting demands for an inquiry.
Meanwhile, the campaign chief for Sunak’s Conservative Party Tony Lee stepped aside as announced on Thursday following reports that both he and his candidate wife Laura Saunders were also allegedly involved in the betting scam.
The Gambling Commission informed the police about the close protection officer, who was then investigated. The investigation broadened as Conservative candidate Craig Williams and now Laura Saunders, the spouse of the Tories’ director of campaigns, fell under suspicion for their own alleged bets.
The Conservative party acknowledged contact from the Gambling Commission regarding a “small number of individuals” but withheld further comments. Senior minister Michael Gove remarked on the situation, emphasizing the impropriety of using private information for profit.
“The broad principle of using inside information to place bets is reprehensible,” Gove told the BBC, ” If people used inside information to bet, it would be “deeply wrong.”
Meanwhile, Daisy Cooper, the deputy leader of the opposition Liberal Democrats, called for a thorough investigation.
“This stinks of yet more sleaze, and answers are needed. An inquiry is needed to understand who knew what and when,” said Cooper.
This controversy follows Sunak’s sudden announcement to hold the general election on July 4, despite having six more months to schedule it., surprising many within his party.
(With inputs from agencies)