The number of Metropolitan Police officers under investigation over bets on the timing of the general election has risen to at least seven, the force said.
Six officers from the force have been identified, as well as an officer from Rishi Sunak’s close protection team, who was arrested and has been bailed on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Scotland Yard, who was only understood to be probing the PM’s protection officer, has confirmed it is widening its investigation and is now looking into a “small number of bets”.
The Gambling Commission is leading on the investigation but the Met police is now assisting as part of a joint investigation into cases where additional offences may have been committed, for example misconduct in public office.
Five Tory politicians and officials are currently known to be being probed but it has been suggested that up to 15 are part of the investigation into alleged bets. Mr Sunak dragged his feet for two weeks before suspending two Conservative Candidates, Laura Saunders and parliamentary aide Craig Williams. To member of the Senedd Russell George has also been suspended.
Two Tory officials – the party’s chief data officer Nick Mason and the party’s campaign chief Tony Lee – have also taken leaves of absences after it emerged they were being probed. The stepping back of Mr Lee, who is the husband of Ms Saunders, has left the Tory party without its campaigning director mid way through an election period.
Labour were also dragged into the row after it emerged its election candidate Kevin Craig was being investigated by the Gambling Commission. He was immediately suspended. It is understood Mr Craig placed a bet on himself losing the seat which the Tories last won at the 2019 General Election with a majority of over 23,000.
Andrew Rhodes, Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission, said: “We are focussed on an investigation into confidential information being used to gain an unfair advantage when betting on the date of the General Election. Our enforcement team has made rapid progress so far and will continue to work closely with the Metropolitan Police to draw this case to a just conclusion.”
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.”