Kate Whannel, a political reporter, has reported that a group of fifteen individuals, including former Conservative MP Craig Williams, have been charged with betting offences by the Gambling Commission. The charges stem from bets made on the timing of the 2024 general election, prompting an investigation launched last year. The commission stated that the focus of the investigation was on individuals suspected of using confidential information, specifically advance knowledge of the proposed election date, to gain an unfair advantage in betting markets. Prior to the election being called, Williams served as the MP for Montgomeryshire and as an aide to then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Among those charged is Russell George, a Member of the Senedd, who was suspended from the Welsh Conservative group following the charges. Other individuals facing charges include Laura Saunders, a former Conservative parliamentary candidate in Bristol North West, her partner Anthony Lee, a former director of campaigning for the party, Thomas James, the director of the Welsh Conservatives, and Nick Mason, a former chief data officer for the party. A spokesperson for the Conservative Party emphasized the importance of acting with integrity in politics, announcing the immediate suspension of current staff members charged in connection with the incident.
Welsh Conservatives leader Darren Millar made clear that George’s suspension was a neutral action pending the outcome of the justice process. Bernard Gentry, chairman of the Welsh Conservatives, expressed disappointment at the charges but emphasized the need to await the court’s ruling before passing any judgment. The list of those charged also includes individuals such as Simon Chatfield, Amy Hind, Anthony Hind, Jeremy Hunt, Charlotte Lang, Iain Makepeace, Paul Place, James Ward, and Jacob Willmer. These individuals are scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on 13 June. Moreover, Rishi Sunak’s announcement on 22 May 2024, stating the general election would take place on 4 July, came as a surprise as it overturned expectations of an autumn poll. In early June 2024, reports surfaced that Williams had placed a bet on the election date, prompting him to admit to a “huge error of judgment” and refrain from commenting further while the Gambling Commission conducted its investigation. Subsequently, the Conservative Party withdrew its support for Williams and Saunders in light of the commission’s decision to initiate an investigation
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