Alex McCurthy
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has suspended support for Conservative Party candidates Craig Williams and Laura Saunders, who are under investigation by the Gambling Commission for their alleged involvement in an election betting scandal.
The scandal, which surfaced two weeks ago, involves accusations of betting on the general election date before Sunak announced it would take place on July 4. Both Williams and Saunders are closely connected to the Prime Minister’s inner circle. The Gambling Commission is investigating these allegations to determine the extent of the wrongdoing.
Craig Williams, the candidate for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr and Sunak’s parliamentary private secretary, reportedly admitted to placing bets on the election date, calling it a “huge error of judgement.” Laura Saunders, running in Bristol North West, has been with the party since 2015 and is married to Tony Lee, the Conservative Party’s director of campaigns, who is also under scrutiny by the Gambling Commission.
Despite the closure of nominations, which means both Williams and Saunders will remain on the ballot, the Conservative Party has decided to withdraw its support. A party spokesperson stated, “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. We have checked with the Gambling Commission that this decision does not compromise their independent and ongoing investigation.”
Prime Minister Sunak faced mounting pressure to suspend those implicated in the scandal. Northern Ireland Minister Steve Baker and other senior Tories, including Tobias Ellwood, called for immediate action. Baker told ITV, “I would call them up and ask them, ‘Did you do it?’ And if they did it, then they are suspended.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer criticized the delayed response, questioning why the suspensions didn’t happen sooner. Shadow Paymaster General Jonathan Ashworth accused Sunak of weak leadership, saying, “The Conservatives who sought to line their own pockets by betting on the election date are not fit to be candidates for parliament.” He also urged the Prime Minister to disclose how many Conservative figures are implicated in the scandal.
The Gambling Commission is currently analyzing a list of individuals who placed bets on a July general election after May 1. An industry source revealed to The Independent that the Commission is “combing through the data and picking off people from that list.” Williams placed a £100 bet with 5-1 odds, which would have yielded a £500 payout after the contest. His suspension is a significant setback for the Conservative Party in Wales, as the Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr seat was projected as a likely Tory win according to a recent YouGov poll.
The election betting scandal has rocked the Conservative Party, leading to suspensions and raising questions about the integrity of those involved. As investigations continue, the full extent of the scandal remains to be seen, and its impact on the upcoming general election will be closely watched.
FAQs
1. Why were Craig Williams and Laura Saunders suspended?
They were suspended due to their alleged involvement in betting on the general election date before it was officially announced.
2. What actions did the Gambling Commission take?
The Gambling Commission is investigating the allegations and analyzing data to identify those involved in betting on the election date.
3. How did other senior Conservatives react to the scandal?
Senior Conservatives, including Steve Baker and Tobias Ellwood, called for immediate suspensions of those implicated in the scandal.
4. What criticism did Rishi Sunak face regarding this issue?
Sunak was criticized for his delayed response, with opposition leaders and some Conservatives accusing him of weak leadership.
5. What are the implications for the Conservative Party in Wales?
The suspension of Craig Williams is a significant blow as his seat, Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, was projected as a likely Tory win in a recent poll.
