Police officer in Sunak’s safety squad arrested over General Election wager

A Police officer in Rishi Sunak’s close protection team has been arrested over an alleged bet on the timing of the General Election.

The male officer was suspended from his role before being arrested by police “on suspicion of misconduct in public office” on Monday. He was taken into custody and bailed pending further enquiries

The Gambling Commission last Friday informed the Metropolitan police that it was investigating alleged bets made by a police constable from its royalty and specialist protection command in relation to the timing of the General Election. Police referred the matter to the Met’s Professional Standards directorate, as well as to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

In a statement, the Met spokesman told the Mirror: “We can confirm that on Friday, 14 June, the Met were contacted by the Gambling Commission who informed us that they were investigating alleged bets made by a Police Constable from the Met’s Royalty and Specialist Protection Command, which were related to the timing of the General Election.

“The matter was immediately referred to officers in the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards, who opened an investigation, and the officer was also removed from operational duties.

“The officer was subsequently arrested on Monday 17 June on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was taken into custody and bailed pending further enquiries. The matter has also been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

“The Gambling Commission continues to lead the investigation into the alleged betting offences, and our investigation is running in parallel to that.”