Second Tory candidate looked into over election betting
The BBC has disclosed that a second Conservative candidate is under investigation by the Gambling Commission concerning a bet related to the timing of the general election.
Laura Saunders, the Conservative candidate for Bristol North West and a party member since 2015, is reportedly the subject of scrutiny. She most recently served in the party’s International Division, which collaborates with center-right parties globally.
Details about when the bet was placed or its amount remain undisclosed.
In response to inquiries, a Conservative Party spokesperson informed the BBC: “We have been contacted by the Gambling Commission regarding a small number of individuals. As the Gambling Commission operates independently, it would not be appropriate to comment further until any process is concluded.”
Ms. Saunders has been approached for comment but has not responded.
This development marks the second instance of a prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate being investigated by the gambling regulator.
Previously, Craig Williams, formerly a parliamentary aide to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Conservative candidate for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, admitted to a “serious error in judgement” after placing a £100 bet on a July election, days before the official announcement by Mr. Sunak.
According to a Gambling Commission spokesperson, using confidential information to gain an unfair betting advantage could potentially constitute cheating under Section 42 of the Gambling Act, which is a criminal offense.
Separately, on Wednesday the BBC revealed a police officer from the prime minister’s close protection team had been arrested for allegedly betting on the timing of the general election.
The officer has been suspended and is under investigation for potential misconduct in public office.
The Met was contacted by the Gambling Commision on 14 June, which informed the force that it was investigating alleged bets made by a police constable from the Met’s Royalty and Specialist Protection Command.
The Met told the BBC: “The matter was immediately referred to officers in the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards, who opened an investigation, and the officer was also removed from operational duties.”
The officer was arrested on Monday, then taken into custody and bailed pending further enquiries.
The other candidates standing in Bristol North West are:
- Caroline Gooch, Liberal Democrats
- Darren Jones, Labour
- Scarlett O’Connor, Reform UK
- Mary Page, Green
- Laura Saunders, Conservative
- Ben Smith, SDP
