Met Police offers main replace on General Election betting scandal

Five police officers are being probed by the Gambling Commission over alleged bets on the timing of the General Election, the Metropolitan Police has confirmed.

A Met Police spokesman said they have not been arrested, but confirmed the force’s Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed. They added: “Decisions on whether they will be subject to any restrictions will be taken in due course.”

It comes as Rishi Sunak finally ditched two election candidates who are under investigation for allegedly betting on the timing of the General Election. An officer in the PM’s close protection team has been arrested and is on “restricted duties” after an alleged bet.

A total of six officers are now confirmed to be being probed, as well as four Tories. It is claimed that Scotland Yard was officially told the date of the General Election before it was announced to give the police force enough time to ensure security provisions were in place for the start of the campaign.

A Met Police spokesman said: “We previously confirmed the arrest of a Met officer on Monday, 17 June for misconduct in public office in relation to bets placed on the timing of the General Election. The officer – a Police Constable from the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command – is on restricted duties. It is still the case that only one officer is under criminal investigation.

“We have, however, been passed information from the Gambling Commission alleging that five further officers have placed bets related to the timing of the election. The Gambling Commission continues to investigate these matters. The officers have not been arrested but the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed.

“The officers are based on the Royalty and Specialist Command, the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command and the Central West Basic Command Unit. None of them work in a close protection role.”

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