Among the five people who were subjected to investigation due to the election date, politicians and close security personnel…

18 November 2024 18:02 | Updated: November 18, 2024, 18:29

A politician and his close protection officer are said to be among up to five people facing potential investigation over bets placed on an early 2024 General Election date.

An investigation was launched by the Gambling Commission earlier this year into allegations that insiders were placing bets on the exact date of the election, and the body sought to prosecute those acting illegally.

It has been revealed that at least three people may be charged in relation to bets placed on the date Rishi Sunak will call an early election.

According to Sky News, a source revealed that the total number of cases could potentially be as high as five.

This was an issue that dogged the Conservative Party for much of the party’s campaign, which many leading commentators referred to as “gambling gate”.

Politicians involved in the ongoing election betting scandal and deleting evidence such as messages from WhatsApp could be committing a “serious crime”, a former Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner has told LBC.

Sir Robert Buckland thinks those involved in ‘gambling rampage’ should be removed

Stephen Roberts, who also serves as the Met’s director of professional standards, described the behavior of those involved in the scandal as “appalling” and “shabby”.

Mr Roberts also told LBC it was difficult to know whether the alleged bets on election timing were being placed illegally.

Five Tories and five police officers were among those investigated as part of the growing betting scandal; A cabinet minister has claimed he won thousands by betting on the date of the General Election.

Read more: ‘There could be more in the future’: Minister insists ‘robust action’ will be taken as up to 15 Conservatives face betting probe

Read more: Fifth Tory launches investigation into growing betting scandal – cabinet minister denies winning £2,100 from betting

One of the officers arrested over the alleged betting was a member of Rishi Sunak’s close protection team.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack claimed in an interview shortly after the snap election that he had won more than £2,100 in bets on the date of the upcoming election.

The claimed victory followed Rishi Sunak’s surprise election announcement on 22 May.

The Tory minister later appeared to backtrack on his comments after admitting he had made the bet in the first place, dismissing the comments as a “joke”.

In a statement released in June, Mr Jack said: “Following today’s reports, I would like to make it absolutely clear that I have not breached any gambling rules.

“I made two unsuccessful and one successful bets on the date of the general election.

“I placed two bets of £5 each in March for elections to be held in May and June.

“In April I put £20 on an election to be held between July and September, 5 to 1.”

At last count, the investigation into the betting scandal has expanded to include several individuals closely linked to the government.

• Rishi Sunak specialist protection officer arrested (Monday 17)
• Craig Williams, Conservative candidate for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr, apologizes experiencing “palpitations” (Tuesday 25)
• Laura SaundersTory candidate for Bristol North West withdraws party support
• Saunders is married to Conservative Party campaign chairman Tony Lee and is also on leave.
• five more He met with police officers They were accused of gambling
• Labor Party suspended its parliamentary candidate Kevin Craig After ‘betting on yourself’
• Scotland Secretary Alister Jack denies initial claim that he won £2,100 from General Election betting
• Welsh Conservative MP Russell George becomes fifth Tory candidate to be investigated

The Gambling Commission also announced it was investigating Conservative member of the Welsh parliament Russell George, making him the fifth Conservative politician to be investigated.

George is Sunak’s closest parliamentary aide and represents the same constituency as Craig Williams, who has been named as part of the investigation.

Welsh Conservative Leader Andrew RT Davies said in a statement following the news: “Russell George has informed me that he has received a letter from the Gambling Commission regarding betting on the timing of the General Election.” he said.