UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Craig Williams, ex-Tory MP, and 14 others face charges for using insider info to bet on the 2024 UK election date, leading to a Gambling Commission probe.
As reported by The Independent, the Gambling Commission has charged Craig Williams, ex-Tory MP, and 14 others over bets on the 2024 UK election date.
After a media report on bets regarding a July election, Williams, ex-MP for Montgomeryshire and Sunak’s secretary, lost support from the Conservative Party.
The Metropolitan Police ended its investigation last August, but the Gambling Commission announced charges against 15 individuals on Monday.
Which other figures were involved in the betting scandal?
- Russell George, Tory member of the Welsh parliament
- Laura Saunders, Conservative candidate for Bristol North West
- Tony Lee, Conservative campaigns director
- Nick Mason, the Tories’ chief data officer at the time
What did the Gambling Commission say about the election date betting scandal?
The Gambling Commission’s investigation, launched in June 2024, targeted those “suspected of using confidential information – specifically advance knowledge of the proposed election date – to gain an unfair advantage in betting markets.”
The commission confirmed that among those charged with crimes was one former police officer. It said that Williams and others used prior knowledge of the 4 July election date to exploit betting markets, which politically damaged the Conservatives.
The other members are:
- Amy Hind, 34, from Loughton
- Anthony Hind, 36, also from Loughton
- Former police officer Jeremy Hunt, 55, Horne
- Thomas James, 38, Brecon
- Charlotte Lang, 36, Brixton
- Iain Makepeace, 47, Newcastle
- Paul Place, 53, Hammersmith
- James Ward, 40, London
- Jacob Willmer, 39, Richmond
They are expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court at 10 a.m. on Friday, 13 June 2025.
What did the Conservative Party say about the staff suspensions?
The Tory Party clarified that staff charged in the case have been suspended immediately.
A spokesperson stated, “The Conservative Party believes that those working in politics must act with integrity. Current members of staff who have been charged are being suspended with immediate effect.”
They added, “These incidents took place in May last year. Our party is now under new leadership, and we are cooperating fully with the Gambling Commission to ensure that their investigation can conclude swiftly and transparently.”
Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar stated that George had been suspended from the Tory group in the Senedd. They referred to it as “a neutral act until the justice process concludes.”
What did Ellie Reeves say about the betting scandal?
Labour Party chair Ellie Reeves said, “This is a very serious development. The British people will expect that anyone found guilty of wrongdoing faces the full force of the law.”
She added, “Kemi Badenoch must make crystal clear that anyone found guilty of using insider information to cheat the system to try to enrich themselves has no place in the Conservative Party. No ifs, no buts.”
UK election & political betting scandals
- 2005 – Labour’s Spread Betting on Majority: Labour aides were accused of spreading betting on the size of Tony Blair’s victory, but no action was taken.
- 2010 – Lib Dem MP Bet Against Himself: John Hemming (Lib Dem MP) placed a bet against winning his own seat in Birmingham Yardley but still won.
- 2014 – Suspicious Scottish Referendum Bets: Bookmakers reported unusual betting activity before the Scottish independence referendum, though no politicians were directly linked.
- 2015 – Suspicious Constituency Betting Patterns: Unexplained surges in bets on tight marginal seats raised concerns, but no misconduct was proven.
- 2019 – Brexit Party “Insider Betting” Claims: Allegations emerged that Brexit Party members may have bet on election outcomes using insider knowledge, but no charges followed.
- 2023 – SNP Leadership Contest Bets: An SNP staffer was investigated (but cleared) over bets on the Humza Yousaf vs. Kate Forbes leadership race.