LONDON: British Chancellor Rishi Sunak on Sunday addressed allegations that senior party officials were involved in yet another round of same-day betting before the July 4 general election is confirmed, as the scandal involving some of the prime minister’s closest aides continues to be investigated by the country’s gambling watchdog.
The British prime minister, who said he was “incredibly angry” when he learned of the allegations that emerged earlier this month, has now learned that the Conservative party’s chief data officer is also under investigation by the Gambling Commission for allegedly betting on the timing of the election before the date was announced.
Following the initial revelations The Sunday TimesNick Mason has reportedly been placed on administrative leave but denies any wrongdoing.
The incident is a fresh blow to Mr Sunak’s Conservative party, which was already trailing well behind the opposition Labour party in pre-election polls, after its campaign manager Tony Lee and his wife, Laura Sanders, a Conservative parliamentary candidate, were named earlier in an investigation into election-day gambling.
This comes after a close aide to Mr Sunak was arrested by the Metropolitan police on suspicion of fraud over election day betting, and after reports that Mr Sunak’s parliamentary aide and Conservative parliamentary candidate Craig Williams was also under investigation.
Gambling is legal in the UK but bets made using inside information can be illegal. “There are multiple investigations underway and it is right that they will be ongoing. They are independent and will necessarily be confidential,” Chancellor of the Exchequer Sunak told reporters earlier this week.
“There is also a criminal investigation underway and this may become a criminal matter. If anyone is found to have breached the rules we will ensure that they not only face the full penalty of the law but are also banned from the Conservative party,” he said.
He and senior party officials have since refused to comment on the ongoing investigation, with one cabinet member blaming his party colleagues for the behaviour.
“It seems to be one rule for them and one rule for us. That’s the one that can do the most damage,” said Equalisation Minister Michael Gove, who is not seeking re-election next month.
The Gambling Commission confirmed it was “investigating possible Election Day illegal activity,” without providing details about its “ongoing investigation.”
“We are neither confirming nor denying the identities of individuals involved in this investigation,” the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, the opposition continues to apply pressure on the ruling Conservative Party over a worsening gambling scandal.
“Rishi Sunak promised integrity, professionalism and accountability but his weaknesses have seen him oversee the wrongdoing and scandal that has marked the last 14 years of Conservative government. Rishi Sunak must act immediately and suspend everyone involved in the Conservative gambling scandal,” a Labour spokesman said.
The Liberal Democrats have also called on Mr Sunak to personally intervene in the wake of the allegations.
“This is now a full-scale scandal at the heart of Rishi Sunak’s Conservative party. He must step in himself and order a Cabinet Office investigation and suspend everyone under investigation by the Gambling Commission,” said Daisy Cooper, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats.
When Chancellor of the Exchequer Sunak stepped onto the steps of 10 Downing Street in the pouring rain on 22 May and announced 4 July as the date for the general election, he surprised the nation by announcing that the election would take place in the summer, as opposed to the widely assumed September-October timetable.
As a result, the date was considered a closely guarded secret and is believed to have been known only to a few close party aides.
Section 42 of the UK Gambling Act 2005 makes it unlawful for anyone to cheat at gambling or enable others to cheat.
Published June 23, 2024 14:09 IST
