Uh oh. On the same day that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced his party would be dropping the two Tory candidates caught up in the election betting scandal, now Labour is facing problems of its own. It transpires that Sir Keir Starmer’s party has suspended Central Suffolk and North Ipswich candidate Kevin Craig after the Gambling Commission launched an investigation into the Labour man. Craig was placed under investigation by the gambling regulators after he allegedly gambled against himself winning the race for his constituency. Talk about hedging your bets…
The Gambling Commission is already looking into the gambling history of former Sunak aide and candidate for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr Craig Williams – as well as Bristol North West candidate Laura Saunders. To add insult to injury, Saunders’ husband Tony Lee, the director of campaigns for the Tory party, is also being looked into. And, in another weird twist, Lee’s former wife Mary Page is the Green candidate for Bristol North West – and will be running against his current partner. You couldn’t make it up…
The news comes as five more police officers are reported to have placed bets on the general election date. The Metropolitan Police confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that it had received information from the Gambling Commission, although Steerpike understands so far no restrictions have been placed against them. And an arrest was made last week after the Prime Minister’s close protection officer was alleged to have placed bets on a July election. Crikey. Whatever will come out next? Stay tuned…
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