Rishi Sunak contacted by Gambling Commission over aide’s election bet

Rishi Sunak has been contacted by the Gambling Commission over an official probe into an election bet placed by one of his close aides.

The PM is understood to have received a letter from the regulator over a £100 wager made by Craig Williams, his parliamentary private secretary.

The bet, that the election would take place in July, was placed on May 19. Mr Sunak announced July 4 as the election day on May 22.

Last night Mr Sunak refused to say if Mr Williams, the Tory candidate for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, was among those privy to the election date before it was publicly announced.

Using confidential information in order to gain an unfair advantage when betting may constitute a criminal offence of cheating under section 42 of the Gambling Act.

Mr Williams has not disputed claims he placed a £100 with Ladbrokes from within Montgomeryshire on May 19 that would have won him £500. 

Yesterday he told the BBC: ‘I clearly made a huge error of judgement that’s for sure and I apologise.’ 

The Liberal Democrats called for a Cabinet Office inquiry to look into what Mr Williams knew at the time of his bet, with the probe to be given access to any communications between Mr Sunak and his No 10 staff.  

 Speaking to broadcasters at the G7 summit in Puglia, the Prime Minister last night said: ‘It’s very disappointing news and you will have seen Craig Williams say that it was a huge error of judgment.’

Pressed on whether Mr Williams knew the July 4 date when placing his bet, Mr Sunak said: ‘Given the nature of the inquiry, which is confidential and independent, it wouldn’t be right for me to comment while that inquiry is ongoing.’