Former Tory MP among 15 charged for alleged cheating over bets placed on general election date

A former MP is among 15 people charged by the Gambling Commission in connection to alleged cheating over bets placed on the date of last year’s UK general election.

Craig Williams was the Conservative MP for Montgomeryshire and parliamentary private secretary for then prime minister Rishi Sunak, and is among those suspected of using inside information to strike bets on the general election being called for July 4.

The Gambling Commission launched its investigation in June last year, focusing on “individuals suspected of using confidential information – specifically advance knowledge of the proposed election date – to gain an unfair advantage in betting markets”. Such an action is “cheating” and a “criminal offence” under the 2005 Gambling Act.

Williams was not the only Conservative party member to be charged by the Gambling Commission. Russell George, a Conservative member of the Senedd, Laura Saunders, who was a Conservative candidate for Bristol North West, and Nick Mason, the Conservative’s then chief data officer, are also charged.

The 15 charged individuals, which include one police officer, are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on June 13.

The Gambling Commission said in a statement: "The Commission is committed to upholding the law and will continue to take robust action against illegal betting practices, including investigating and prosecuting offences. The Gambling Commission cannot provide further details on ongoing criminal cases."

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