The Conservative Party’s director of campaigning Tony Lee is being looked into by the Gambling Commission over an alleged bet relating to the timing of the general election, the BBC can reveal.
Mr Lee, who took a leave of absence from his job on Wednesday afternoon, is married to a Conservative candidate who is being looked into by the betting industry regulator.
Laura Saunders, the party’s candidate in Bristol North West, has worked for the Tories since 2015 and is Mr Lee’s partner.
It is not known when either individual placed a bet or for how much money.
Ms Saunders and Mr Lee have been approached for comment by the BBC and have not responded.
Rishi Sunak announced 4 July as the date of the general election on 22 May, taking much of Westminster by surprise.
A Conservative Party spokesman told the BBC: “We have been contacted by the Gambling Commission about a small number of individuals.”
The party said it would not be proper to comment further until any process was finished.
If someone uses confidential information to gain an unfair advantage when betting, this could be a criminal offence under section 42 of the Gambling Act.
A spokesperson for the Gambling Commission said: “The Gambling Commission regulates gambling in the interests of consumers and the wider public.
“Currently the Commission is investigating the possibility of offences concerning the date of the election. This is an ongoing investigation, and the Commission cannot provide any further details at this time.
“We are not confirming or denying the identity of any individuals involved in this investigation.”
Mr Williams, who was the Tory MP for Montgomery until the election was called and is standing again in the new constituency of Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, previously apologised and said he made a “huge error of judgement”.
When asked by the BBC, he refused to say whether he placed a bet on the basis of inside information.
Labour and the Liberal Democrats have both called for Ms Saunders and Mr Williams to be suspended as Conservative candidates.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “It’s very telling that Rishi Sunak has not already done that.
“If it was one of my candidates, they’d be gone and their feet would not have touched the floor.”
Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: “It would be an utter disgrace if Conservative politicians were shown to be more focussed on turning a quick buck rather than the needs of the country.”
Housing Secretary Michael Gove said it would be “deeply wrong” if anyone had used “inside information” to place bets.
“What I can’t do is sort of get too much into the detail of the case while an investigation is going on,” he told the BBC.
“But I can talk about the broad principle and you’re absolutely right, it’s reprehensible.”
The Conservative candidate in Guildford, Angela Richardson, told the BBC she was “deeply disappointed” and described the alleged bets as “incredibly disrespectful” to the prime minister and party activists.
“It would never occur to me to do that.
“I am angry… clever people sometimes do very silly things.”
The officer was initially suspended by the Metropolitan Police and then arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The individual has been bailed pending further inquiries.
The Met was contacted by the Gambling Commission last Friday. It informed the force that it was investigating alleged bets made by a police constable from the Met’s Royalty and Specialist Protection Command.
Labour’s campaign coordinator Pat McFadden has written to the prime minister questioning why Ms Saunders and Mr Williams are still being allowed to stand as Tory candidates, when a serving police officer has been suspended from his role following allegations they made a bet on the timing of the election.
“Surely you can understand that – yet again – this looks as though there is one rule for members of the Tory party, and another rule for everyone else, specifically on this occasion a serving police officer,” he wrote.
Additional reporting by Becky Morton
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
