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The final weeks of the general election campaign have been clouded by a growing scandal in which candidates and former lawmakers are betting on the date of the general election, some even betting that they will lose their seats.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said he was “deeply angry” to learn of allegations that Conservative party insiders had bet on the election, and promised to “kick people out” who broke gambling laws.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has also seen his party embroiled in the scandal, saying in a face-to-face debate with Mr Sunak on Wednesday night that he suspended his party’s candidates “within minutes” of learning the party was under investigation.
He criticised those involved, telling the BBC: “The instinct of these people is that the first thing they should do is make money, but that’s the wrong instinct and we have to change that.”
He said Mr Sunak had “delayed, delayed and delayed some more” and was “forced” to act, adding: “My candidates know I hold myself to the highest standards. They have seen the consequences of my actions.”
What are the rules regarding election gambling for MPs?
It is not a crime for politicians to bet on the outcome or timing of general elections, but it could be a crime if they make bets based on information that has not been made public.
The Gambling Act of 2005 makes it illegal for anyone, including politicians, to “use confidential information to gain an unfair advantage in gambling”.
“This may constitute fraud in violation of Article 42 of the Gambling Act and is a criminal offence,” the law states.
This applies to any situation in which someone may have advanced knowledge that has not been made public, such as a television official betting on the outcome of a reality show he or she works for, or a footballer betting on the line-up for a match he or she will be playing.
However, this offence only applies if the person placing the bet, or his/her agent, knows that the information is restricted.
For example, if you overhear a conversation that is unrelated to the event in question, or happen to witness something and then place a bet, that may not be a crime.
Which Conservative candidate is accused of election gambling?
The scandal emerged Parents It emerged that Craig Williams, the Conservative candidate for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr and a close aide to Mr Sunak, was under investigation by the Gambling Commission for betting £100 just three days before July’s election was announced.
It was later revealed that Laura Sanders, the Conservative candidate for Bristol North West, had also been investigated, along with her husband Tony Lee, the Conservative campaign manager.
Russell George, the Conservative member of the Senate who represents the same constituency as Mr Williams, is also under investigation, as is the party’s chief data officer, Nick Mason.
Both Williams and Sanders were subsequently suspended as Conservative candidates in their respective constituencies.
Sun And Conservative candidate and former MP Sir Philip Davies (married to cabinet minister Esther McVey) has reportedly bet £8,000 that he will lose his seat in the election, where he currently holds a majority of just over 6,000 votes.
On Tuesday night, Scottish Home Secretary Alistair Jack admitted he had made three bets on the date of the general election, with one successful bet earning him a £2,100 prize.
In a statement, Jack, who is not standing in the general election, said he had not been contacted by the Gambling Commission about gambling and was “clearly not in breach of any gambling rules”.
Which Labour candidate is being accused of election gambling?
Labour has suspended its candidate for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, Kevin Craig, after it emerged he is under investigation by the Gambling Commission for placing bets against himself in the upcoming election.
The party will also reportedly return £100,000 in donations the businessman has given to the party since Starmer became leader, while shadow health secretary Wes Streeting is said to be returning money he donated towards staff costs.
A Labour spokesman said: “As the public rightly expects from a political party standing in elections, we hold our parliamentary candidates to the highest standards, which is why we have taken immediate action in this case.”
Who else has been accused of election gambling?
A serving Metropolitan police officer working for Mr Sunak’s specialist security unit has been arrested on suspicion of official misconduct after making five bets on the date of the general election.
Police also confirmed they had received information from the Gambling Commission about five other officers who had been placing bets around election time, but none of them have been arrested.
“The Gambling Commission continues to investigate these matters. No officers have been arrested but the Metropolitan police’s Professional Standards Unit has been informed,” the Metropolitan police said in a statement.
The watchdog is also reportedly examining the documentation of suspicious betting transactions relating to election day, with prizes of more than £199, to investigate links to Conservative members.
What are the Gambling Commission and the Metropolitan Police investigating?
The Metropolitan police confirmed that they are currently investigating “a small number of cases to assess whether the alleged offences go beyond breaches of gambling laws and include other offences, such as official misconduct”.
“The Metropolitan Police will not be taking over the investigation into betting relating to the timing of the general election. The Gambling Commission will continue to lead the investigation into cases involving suspected breaches of gambling laws only,” it said in a statement.
The Gambling Commission has confirmed that it is investigating a number of individuals in relation to breaches of the Gambling Act.
Those convicted can face up to two years in prison, a fine, or both, but other sanctions, such as confiscation of winnings, can also be imposed at the gambling regulator’s discretion.