Controversy continues following Crouch resignation over FOBT cuts

The political fallout from the resignation of sports minister Tracey Crouch over the timing of FOBT stakes changes continued on Friday, with reports that more than 30 Conservative MPs are planning an amendment to the Finance Bill on the issue, which could lead to an embarrassing defeat for the government.

Crouch had been instrumental in the government's decision to reduce the maximum stakes on the controversial betting shop machines to £2 from £100 and had pressed for the changes to be implemented in April to help combat problem gambling.

However, chancellor Philip Hammond announced in Monday's Budget that the new stake limit would come into force next October instead, a move Crouch described as "unjustifiable" in her resignation letter to prime minister Theresa May on Thursday.