The Conservative Party has dropped two key candidates amid a scandal involving alleged election betting, leading to a significant shake-up just days before the general election. Here’s the full story.
Weeks of Scandal
Following weeks in which the Conservative Party has been mired in scandal following allegations that at least four Conservative politicians and officials made suspicious bets on the election date using insider knowledge, the party has finally dropped support for two key candidates, Craig Williams and Laura Saunders.
Major U-Turn
This decision marked a major U-turn in the party’s stance, which initially saw the leadership standing by the accused candidates despite mounting pressure and growing public scrutiny.
Investigation Begins
The controversy began when the Gambling Commission initiated an investigation into bets placed on the general election date, which allegedly were made using insider information.
Police Involvement
The scandal first came to light when one of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s personal Metropolitan Police protection officers was arrested and questioned over such bets. This arrest stemmed from information provided by the Gambling Commission, suggesting possible widespread misconduct.
Initial Support
The Conservative Party, led by Sunak, initially maintained its support for Williams and Saunders. However, the party’s stance quickly became untenable as further details emerged.
Candidates Under Scrutiny
Craig Williams, a parliamentary private secretary to Sunak and candidate for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr, and Laura Saunders, candidate for Bristol North West, faced intense scrutiny over the allegations.
Family Ties
Saunders is notably married to Tony Lee, the party’s head of campaigning, who has taken a leave of absence amid the ongoing scandal.
Internal Criticism
The delay in taking action against Williams and Saunders led to significant criticism from within the party and the opposition.
“Did You Do It?”
In an interview with ITV, senior Conservative figures like Steve Baker stated, “I would call them up and ask them, ‘Did you do it?’ And if they did it, then they are suspended. But the prime minister would have to answer why he hasn’t done it, I haven’t got inside information on why the prime minister hasn’t done it.”
Questioning the Delay
Former Cabinet Minister Lord Frost questioned the delay, writing on X, formerly Twitter, “We get there in the end. But why did it take so long to come to a decision that seemed so necessary right from the start?”
Opposition Criticism
The opposition also seized the opportunity to criticise Sunak’s leadership and the delay in the suspension of the candidates, with Labour leader Keir Starmer asking, “Why didn’t that happen a week ago?”
“Weak Leadership”
Similarly, the Shadow Postmaster General Jonathan Ashworth stated that the scandal was “yet another example of Rishi Sunak’s staggeringly weak leadership that it has taken him nearly two weeks to see what was obvious to everyone else.”
Unfit Candidates
He added, “The Conservatives who sought to line their own pockets by betting on the election date are not fit to be candidates for parliament.”
Internal Investigation
Amidst the growing scandal, the Conservative Party announced its internal investigation, with a party spokesperson stating, “As a result of ongoing internal inquiries, we have concluded that we can no longer support Craig Williams or Laura Saunders as parliamentary candidates at the forthcoming general election.”
Independent Investigation
They added, “We have checked with the Gambling Commission that this decision does not compromise the investigation that they are conducting, which is rightly independent and ongoing.”
Campaign Consequences
The suspension of Williams and Saunders had immediate consequences for their campaigns. Both candidates lost the Conservative whip and campaign support, although their names remained on the ballot papers as the deadline to change party candidates had passed.
Wider Implications
The scandal extended beyond Williams and Saunders, implicating other party figures and officials. Nick Mason, the party’s chief data officer, took a leave of absence, and the Met Police continued to investigate the involvement of other officers.
Ongoing Investigation
The Met refused to state how many other officers might be involved in the scandal. A spokesperson for the police force said, “We continue to liaise with the Gambling Commission and are assessing information they have provided.”
Legal Focus
The commission’s investigation is focused on potential violations of the 2005 Gambling Act, specifically Section 42, which addresses cheating at gambling, a criminal offence punishable by fines or imprisonment.
Critical Timing
The Conservative Party’s recent decision to drop Williams and Saunders comes at a critical time for the party, as Sunak is trying to stem the bleeding from the ongoing scandal. As investigations continue, the full impact of the betting scandal on the Conservative Party’s reputation and electoral prospects remains to be seen.
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The post Sunak’s Allies Cut as Betting Scandal Rocks Conservative Campaign first appeared on Edge Media.
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Grant Gallacher is a seasoned writer with expertise in politics and impactful daily news. His work, deeply rooted in addressing issues that resonate with a wide audience, showcases an unwavering commitment to bringing forth the stories that matter. He is also known for satirical writing and stand up comedy.