The Gambling Commission will reportedly carry out interviews this week with the UK politicians who allegedly bet on the timing of the upcoming general election.
BBC News reports that its Newsnight programme has learned that up to 15 Conservative candidates and officials are part of the UK regulator’s probe on these grounds.
Russell George, a Conservative in the Welsh Parliament, became the fifth Tory to named as part of the UKGC’s investigation into betting on the timing of the July 4 vote.
He said he will cooperate with the investigation and has “stepped back” from his duties in Wales. The Conservatives have withdrawn their support for Laura Saunders and Craig Williams, who were earlier exposed in the investigation. Tony Lee, the husband of Saunders, and Nick Mason, the party's chief data officer, are the others involved.
Elsewhere, the UK’s Labour Party has been dragged into the scandal over general election betting.
Kevin Craig, who was originally standing for Labour in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, has now been suspended after it emerged he bet on himself to lose in his efforts to become a member of Parliament in the July 4 polls.
Craig admitted it was a “stupid error” but insisted he “did not place this bet with any prior knowledge of the outcome,” adding he would have given any winnings to charity.
Craig’s case forms part of the Gambling Commission’s overall investigation, but it does not relate to the alleged bets on the timing of the election that could constitute a criminal offence under the Gambling Act.
It was also revealed on Tuesday that five more Metropolitan Police officers are involved in the investigation into betting on the election – but it is unclear if they will face any action.
