Friday, November 22, 2024

Kevin Hollinrake places bet on the Conservative Party to win the election

Must read

Kevin Hollinrake. Photograph: James Manning / PA wire

With political betting in the spotlight, a Conservative candidate has revealed his own little flutter.

Kevin Hollinrake, a business minister, is standing for re-election to the Thirsk and Malton seat.

He said he had put a £50 bet on the Conservatives to win the election, but gambling on the result in his own constituency would be “wrong”.

Mr Hollinrake told LBC he thought the odds were 9-1 when he placed his bet. “You may think that’s foolhardy. Victory is always possible if you don’t stop fighting.”

At least five Conservatives are being investigated by the Gambling Commission as part of its inquiry into wagers on the timing of the 4 July poll.

It is potentially a criminal offence to place a bet on something when you already know the outcome, based on information that is not in the public domain.

Additionally, at least seven Metropolitan Police officers are also being investigated over bets on the timing of the election.

Labour has also been drawn into the row, suspending candidate Kevin Craig after he was investigated by the regulator for betting on himself to lose his contest in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich.

Mr Hollinrake added: “This situation has definitely opened up a debate that we should have a proper debate about and decide whether it’s right or wrong that people have a bet on things they are involved in.”

Latest article