Five more police officers accused in election betting scandal

Five more police officers are alleged to have placed bets on the UK general election date, according to a force spokesperson on Tuesday.

Prime minister Rishi Sunak has withdrawn support from two Conservative candidates due to the growing scandal.

The issue has impacted the final days of campaigning, with Sunak trying to reduce his party’s 21-point average poll deficit to Keir Starmer’s Labour opposition ahead of the 4 July vote.

London’s Metropolitan Police stated that the Gambling Commission had informed them about five additional officers and a member of Sunak’s protection team suspected of betting on the election date.

The protection officer was arrested this month on suspicion of misconduct in a public office and has been placed on restricted duties.

The five newly accused officers have not been arrested and do not work in a close protection role, with only one officer under criminal investigation.

The Conservatives announced that they could no longer support Craig Williams or Laura Saunders as candidates due to ongoing internal inquiries.

The regulator is investigating the two over claims they bet on the election date using inside information.

While political bets are allowed in the UK, using insider knowledge for such bets is illegal. Nominations have closed, so they will still appear on ballot papers Read More….