Second Conservative MP candidate investigated for alleged election wager
A second Conservative MP candidate is being investigated over the alleged bet on when the next election would be.
Laura Saunders, who is standing in Bristol North West, is the subject of an inquiry by the Gambling Commission, according to a report by the BBC.
A Conservative spokesman said: ‘We have been contacted by the Gambling Commission about a small number of individuals.
‘As the Gambling Commission is an independent body, it wouldn’t be proper to comment further, until any process is concluded.’
It comes after Rishi Sunak‘s parliamentary private secretary, Craig Williams, is also being investigated after putting a £100 bet on the election being held in July, just days before the Prime Minister announced the July 4 vote.
Mr Williams is being probed by the Gambling Commission over his 5-1 ‘flutter’ in May.
The issue with those with close connections to the PM placing a bet on the election date comes with the individual having possible inside information that could give them an advantage.
Laura Saunders (pictured), who is standing in Bristol North West, is the subject of an inquiry by the Gambling Commission, according to a report by the BBC
The issue with those with close connections to Rishi Sunak (pictured) placing a bet on the election date comes with the individual having possible inside information
It has not been confirmed whether Ms Saunders had any inside information when allegedly placing the bet.
The investigation regarding Ms Saunders also comes as a police officer in Mr Sunak’s close protection team has been suspended and arrested over alleged bets about the timing of the election, it was revealed on Wednesday.
The Metropolitan Police was contacted by the Gambling Commission last Friday and told the commission was investigating the activities of a member of Scotland Yard’s Royalty and Specialist Protection (RaSP) command.
The police constable was removed from operational duties with immediate effect.
A Met Police spokesperson said: ‘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.
Craig Williams (pictured), Rishi Sunak ‘s parliamentary private secretary, is also being investigated after putting a £100 bet on the election being held in July, just days before the Prime Minister announced the July 4 vote
‘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.’
Mr Williams, who is standing for re-election as MP in Montgomeryshire, bet on the election being held in July just three days before the announcement was made, The Guardian first reported.
Meanwhile, the nation was surprised the election was going to be held in summer rather than autumn. Mr Williams has since apologised for a ‘huge error of judgement’.
The date and value of Ms Saunder’s alleged bet have not been revealed.
