Rishi Sunak’s closest aide in parliament placed a £100 bet on a July election three days before the prime minister named the date, it has been claimed.
Craig Williams, the prime minister’s parliamentary private secretary, admitted to putting “a flutter on the general election”.
The Gambling Commission has launched an inquiry into the bet, which could have led to a £500 payout on odds of 5/1, the Guardian reported.
If found guilty of an offence, Craig Williams could face an unlimited fine or up to two years in prison
The alleged bet, which would not have been paid out until after the election, was reportedly placed via an online account belonging to Williams on Sunday, May 19. Sunak announced a surprise July election on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 22.
Williams is the Conservative candidate for Montgomeryshire & Glyndŵr, having been the MP for Montgomeryshire