Now police step in to research election bets positioned by politicians

Detectives have been drafted in to lead an investigation into general election bets placed by politicians – as it was one Tory backbencher was accused of betting £8,000 on himself to lose.

Scotland Yard said that it would take the lead in investigating a small number of the the most serious cases in a widening scandal gripping Westminster.

It will probe cases where alleged offending may be considered misconduct in public office, with the Gambling Commission investigating alleged breaches of the Gambling Act.

As many as 15 Tories are said to be involved in the widening furore, which has cast a shadow over the end of the party’s already troubled election campaign, along with a Labour candidate – who has been suspended –  and seven police officers.

Detective Superintendent Katherine Goodwin, who is leading the Met investigation, said: ‘We have agreed a joint approach with the Gambling Commission, who are the appropriate authority to investigate the majority of these allegations.

‘There will, however, be a small number of cases where a broader criminal investigation by the police is required. We will aim to provide updates at key points as our investigation progresses.’

In a separate development, the Sun last night claimed that Sir Philip Davies, the Tory right-winger and GB News television presenter put a four-figure wager on losing the Shipley seat he has held since 2005.

Sir Philip did not deny the figure involved in the bet, but told the paper: ‘What’s it go to do with you whether I did or didn’t (place the bet)?’ 

As many as 15 Tories are said to be involved in the widening furore, which has cast a shadow over the end of the party’s already troubled election campaign, along with a Labour candidate – who has been suspended – and half a dozen police officers.

In a separate development, the Sun last night claimed that Sir Philip Davies, the Tory right-winger and GB News television presenter put a four-figure wager on losing the Shipley seat he has held since 2005. Sir Philip did not deny the figure involved in the bet, but told the Sun: ‘What’s it go to do with you whether I did or didn’t (place the bet)?’

He told the paper he placed a similar bet when he stood in 2005 and won, with the bet ‘going down the pan’, adding: ‘I hope to win. I’m busting a gut to win. I expect to lose. 

‘And if anyone’s alleging I’ve done anything illegal, they’re very welcome to allege it, but I’m afraid I haven’t.’

There is no suggesting Sir Philip has broken the law or is being investigated by police. He has not yet responded to a request for a comment from MailOnline.

Sir Keir Starmer last night claimed Rishi Sunak was ‘bullied’ into acting over the election gambling scandal – as it emerged a Tory candidate put an £8,000 bet on himself to lose.

The Labour leader attacked the Prime Minister over the growing row about alleged bets by politicians on both the date and result of next week’s general election.

Mr Sunak this week withdrew the Conservatives‘ support for two candidates after they were revealed to be under investigation by the Gambling Commission.

But Sir Keir tackled the PM over why he had ‘delayed’ suspending Craig Williams and Laura Saunders until a number of days after the watchdog’s probe was first revealed.

Sir Keir Starmer tonight claimed Rishi Sunak was ‘bullied’ into acting over the election gambling scandal

The Labour leader attacked the Prime Minister over the growing row about alleged bets by politicians on both the date and result of next week’s general election

During this evening’s final TV election debate on the BBC, Sir Keir accused Mr Sunak of being ‘bullied’ into responding to the betting scandal.

The Labour leader said: ‘You have to lead from the front on issues like this.

‘I think that in the last 14 years politics has become too much about self entitlement, and MPs thinking about what they could get for themselves.’

He added: ‘The instinct of these people to think the first thing they should do is try to make money, that was the wrong instinct, and we have to change that.’

Sir Keir compared the PM’s response to the ‘swift’ action he took to suspend Kevin Craig, one of Labour’s own candidates. 

He said: ‘What I did, when one of my team was alleged to have been involved and investigated by the Gambling Commission, they were suspended within minutes. 

‘Because I knew it made it really important to be swift, the PM delayed and delayed and delayed until eventually he was bullied into taking off.’

In response, Mr Sunak said: ‘It was important to me, that given the seriousness and the sensitivity of the matters at hand that they were dealt with properly, and that’s what I’ve done.’

The newspaper also reported that the Metropolitan Police are set to take over the probe from the Gambling Commission amid its widening scale and complexity.

At least five Conservatives are being investigated by the regulator as part of its inquiry into wagers on the timing of the July 4 poll, with the BBC suggesting 10 more may also be involved.

Mr Sunak on Tuesday caved to mounting calls to withdraw support for two parliamentary candidates facing an investigation by the regulator – his parliamentary aide Mr Williams and Ms Saunders.

Ms Saunders’ husband, the Conservative Party’s director of campaigning Tony Lee, has taken a leave of absence, as has Tory chief data officer Nick Mason, while Welsh Tory Senedd member Russell George is also facing a probe by the gambling watchdog.

Labour has also been dragged into the row, suspending Mr Craig after he was investigated by the regulator for betting on himself to lose his contest in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich.