The UK Gambling Commission has now charged 15 people in connection with last year’s election betting scandal.
Key Takeaways:
- List of those charged includes prominent politicians and a police officer.
- If found guilty, the 15 charged could face up to two years in prison.
The investigation centred on bets placed on the timing of the UK’s 2024 general election. A number of prominent political figures were "suspected of using confidential information – specifically advance knowledge of the proposed election date – to gain an unfair advantage in betting markets.”
Commenting on the charges, the regulator said that the 15 people have been charged under section 42 of the Gambling Act. They will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on June 13. If found guilty, they could face a fine or a custodial sentence of up to two years.
Prominent political figures formally charged
Former Conservative MP Craig Williams, who was working as an aide to then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the time, is amongst those charged. Williams’ wager was the first to come under suspicion last May, starting the chain of events that led to the opening of the Commission's investigation.
Laura Saunders, the former Conservative parliamentary candidate in Bristol North West, has also been charged, as has Saunders’ partner Anthony Lee, who was the Conservatives’ director of campaigning prior to the election.
Several other prominent Conservatives came under suspicion as the scandal emerged, and many of their names are among those who have been formally charged.
These include Russell George, who has been charged and suspended from the Welsh Conservatives. Director of the Welsh Conservatives Thomas James is also among those charged by the commission, as is the party’s former chief data officer, Nick Mason.
Others charged in connection with the investigation include Amy Hind, Anthony Hind, Charlotte Lang, Iain Makepeace, Simon Chatfield, Paul Place, James Ward, and Jacob Willmer.
“Current members of staff who have been charged are being suspended with immediate effect,” a Conservative spokesman said following the announcement.
"These incidents took place in May last year. Our party is now under new leadership and we are cooperating fully with the Gambling Commission to ensure that their investigation can conclude swiftly and transparently."
Police officer among those facing charges
The list of those charged in relation to election betting offences includes a former police officer, Jeremy Hunt.
At the time of the alleged offences, Hunt had been working as part of the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command, forming part of the Prime Minister’s close protection team.
The allegations resulted in an investigation by the Met Police, alongside that of the Gambling Commission. This investigation was dropped last August however, with the Met saying that its bar for charges relating to misconduct in public office had not been met.
How the scandal unfolded
The Gambling Commission’s investigation stemmed from the revelation that Parliamentary private secretary Williams had placed a £100 bet on the date of the general election. Williams stood to win £500 from the bet, but the wager was quickly referred to the regulator due to his position at the time.
As the Commission looked into the bet, other suspicious wagers began to come to light. These included bets placed by Saunders and her partner Lee.
Days later, it was learned that a Met police officer had been arrested in connection with the investigation. The regulator then began to widen its net as it asked UK bookmakers to report on any UK election bets over £20.
Support for Conservative MPs Williams and Saunders was formally pulled soon after the allegations hit the headlines, but with the general election fast approaching, the scandal snowballed at a time that the Conservatives could least afford it.
Now, attention will turn to those charged as they face their day in court.
