Who's who in the Conservatives betting scandal?
The Conservatives have suspended two candidates over alleged bets placed on the date of the General Election, before it was called. Here's what we know so far.
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In brief...
- A betting scandal involving several key Conservatives has emerged, revealing they placed bets on the election date shortly before Rishi Sunak's announcement, leading to the withdrawal of support for candidates Craig Williams and Laura Saunders.
- The scandal has led to high-profile investigations, including those of Tony Lee, Nick Mason, and Russell George, and the arrest of a police officer formerly on Sunak's protection team.
- Rishi Sunak faced criticism for delaying action, taking 13 days to suspend Williams after the first reports, causing instability and a perceived lack of decisiveness in his leadership.
A betting scandal was the last thing the Conservatives needed.
Polls have shown a huge Labour lead in the run-up to the General Election, along with the rise of Nigel Farage, while Rishi Sunak had already been hampered by having to apologise repeatedly for leaving D-Day celebrations in Normandy early to return to the UK for a TV interview.
But the betting scandal has unfurled slowly, with more names revealed over a two-week period, showing that several key Tories placed bets on the date of the election, some just days before Rishi Sunak called it.
It has made headlines since the first Conservative was named on 12 June, with Rishi Sunak eventually withdrawing support for two candidates on 25 June.
The list keeps growing, but as things currently stand, here are the key names linked to improper betting around the upcoming election.
So, who's involved?
- Craig Williams: Now the former Tory candidate for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr, Craig Williams is a parliamentary private secretary to Rishi Sunak. His name will still appear on ballot papers as the Conservative candidate, but if he wins, will be elected as an independent MP. He has apologised for his actions, saying: "All I can say was it was a huge error of judgement."
- Laura Saunders: Like Williams, Laura Saunders' name will still appear on the ballot paper as a Tory candidate but is now independent. She is standing in the Bristol North West constituency, and is married to Tory director of campaigning, Tony Lee. "As a result of ongoing internal inquiries, we have concluded that we can no longer support Craig Williams or Laura Saunders as parliamentary candidates at the forthcoming general election," a Tory spokesperson said.
- Tony Lee: Lee stepped away from his senior Tory role on 19 June, after allegations of a bet made began being looked into by the Gambling Commission. Neither Lee or Saunders have commented on the investigation into the couple.
- Nick Mason: The Conservatives' chief data officer has also taken a leave of absence since being placed under investigation, with allegations suggesting he placed several bets on a July election taking place, prior to Sunak's official announcement. He has denied all wrongdoing, but has also refused to give further comment while the investigation is ongoing.
- Russell George: The Montgomeryshire MP said he will cooperate with the Gambling Commission on the investigation, and has "stepped back" from the front bench in the Welsh Senedd.
- The unknown police officer: The only arrest made so far in connection with the betting scandal was of a Metropolitan police officer, who was previously part of the team protecting Rishi Sunak. He was arrested on the alleged charge of misconduct in public office. Another six officers are now under investigation for placing bets.
- Alister Jack: The former Scottish secretary has admitted making three bets on the date of the General Election, but made these in March and April, long in advance of the others currently involved in the betting scandal. Jack has stated that he is not under investigation by the Gambling Commission. He said he placed two £5 bets in March that the election would take place this year in May or June.
What The News Agent have said about Sunak's handling of the matter?
The News Agents have said Sunak "dithered" over taking action. It took 13 days between the first reports of Williams placing a bet and Sunak suspending him from the party.
Sunak initially stated no decision would be made until the Gambling Commission investigations had been completed.
"I think this goes to the heart of the instability of the Sunak campaign over this one," said Emily Maitlis.
"As soon as Craig Williams publicly said he did take – his words – 'a flutter', as soon as that had been made clear, it would have been an hour's work to say: 'You'll understand why I have to suspend you from this campaign". They would have had two weeks to parachute somebody else in, to put in place somebody to take on the campaign.
"But Rishi Sunak dithered. He pretended it was something that had to go through a process, the Gambling Commission was a farrago. We all knew that.
"The Gambling Commission can decide what it wants, it has virtually nothing to do with the way Rishi Sunak is governing his own party, or the morality within it. That was always his decision."
Jon Sopel believes the handling of this case will have resulted in a lack of support for the Conservative leader from the top Tories who towed the party line in public while he delayed making a decision.
"Can you imagine what all the ministers must now feel? They must feel like right bloody Charlies," Sopel added.
"They've been sent out saying 'we've got to wait for the Gambling Commission', and then suddenly Rishi Sunak says they don't need to wait for the Gambling Commission, the party is suspending them or disowning them."
And it's not just the Tories...
Kevin Craig: Also under investigation by the Gambling Commission, the Labour Central Suffolk and North Ipswich candidate has said he made a "huge mistake" in placing a bet against himself winning the election for his constituency. He has been suspended from the Labour Party for his actions.