Four people are being investigated over an alleged illegal betting scandal within the UK Conservative Party (the Tories).
The group, which includes an MP and a police officer, has been accused of using insider knowledge to place bets on when the UK election would be held, in the weeks before it was announced.
UK Prime Ministersaid he’s “incredibly angry” about the allegations. He vowed to remove anyone from his party found doing the wrong thing.
Election date
Last month, Sunak announced a, several months earlier than was required.
Polling shows the Tories have consistently trailed the Labour Opposition since December 2021.
One new opinion poll this week suggested Sunak could become the first UK prime minister to lose their seat at an election.
The “bets”
The UK’s National Gambling Commission is investigating two Tory candidates for making bets about the election date days before it was called, having potentially used insider information.
Last week,to announce he was under investigation by the Commission.
In the post, Williams said: “I put a [small bet] on the General Election some weeks ago. This has resulted in some routine inquiries”.
British media has since named the second candidate under investigation as Laura Saunders.
Her husband, Tony Lee, who is the Tories’ official campaign director, is also under investigation.
London police confirmed one of its officers, who was one of the prime minister’s bodyguards, has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct over the alleged betting scandal.
Your contribution ensures The Daily Aus can continue doing the work you love.
I want to give $10 monthly to help TDA keep doing the news.
Your details:
Sunak response
Earlier this week, Sunak and Starmer answered voters’ questions on the BBC.
Responding to a question about the alleged bets, Sunak said: “Not only should they face the full consequences of the law, I will make sure they are booted out of the Conservative Party.”
Political reaction
Starmer called for the candidates to be suspended. He added it was “very telling” that Sunak had not yet done that.
Smaller parties have also weighed in to the scandal, including the centre-left Liberal Democrats and far-right Reform UK Party.
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said the allegations amounted to “corruption”.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: “It’s almost as though they’re stealing the lightbulbs out of the building as they leave the door.”
Latest polls
Almost every poll since December 2021 has shown Labour leading the Tories.
Last week, aconducted by the company Savanta UK showed Labour would win 516 out of 650 seats. The Tories would be reduced to just 53.
The poll showed Sunak would lose his seat of Richmond and Northallerton in northern England.
However, most other polls have shown Labour would win a smaller majority.
