LONDON: The chief knowledge officer of Britain’s Conservative Occasion has taken a go away of absence, British media reported on Sunday, following rising allegations that the governing get together’s members used inside information to wager on the date of Britain’s July 4 nationwide election earlier than it was introduced.
Sunday Instances and others reported that Nick Mason is the fourth Conservative official to be investigated by the UK’s Playing Fee for allegedly betting on the timing of the election.The Instances alleged that dozens of bets had been positioned with potential winnings value 1000’s of kilos.
The stories got here after revelations in current days that two Conservative election candidates, Laura Saunders and Craig Williams, are underneath investigation by the playing watchdog. Saunders’ husband Tony Lee, the Conservative director of campaigning, has additionally taken a go away of absence following allegations that he was additionally investigated over alleged betting.
Police stated certainly one of PM Rishi Sunak’s police bodyguards was arrested on Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public workplace. The arrest got here after the playing regulator confirmed it was investigating “the potential of offences regarding the date of the election.”
The rising scandal, simply two weeks forward of the nationwide election, has dealt a contemporary blow to Sunak’s Conservative Occasion, which is extensively anticipated to lose to the opposition Labour Occasion after 14 years in energy.
Sunak stated this week that he was “extremely indignant” to be taught of the allegations and stated that anybody discovered to have damaged the legislation ought to be expelled from his get together. Sunak introduced on Could 22 that parliamentary elections could be held on July 4. The date had been a intently guarded secret and lots of have been taken without warning as a result of a vote had been anticipated within the fall.
Senior Conservative minister Michael Gove condemned the alleged betting and likened it to “Partygate,” the ethics scandal that contributed to former PM Boris Johnson’s ouster in 2022. “It appears to be like like one rule for them and one rule for us. That is probably the most doubtlessly damaging factor.”
Sunday Instances and others reported that Nick Mason is the fourth Conservative official to be investigated by the UK’s Playing Fee for allegedly betting on the timing of the election.The Instances alleged that dozens of bets had been positioned with potential winnings value 1000’s of kilos.
The stories got here after revelations in current days that two Conservative election candidates, Laura Saunders and Craig Williams, are underneath investigation by the playing watchdog. Saunders’ husband Tony Lee, the Conservative director of campaigning, has additionally taken a go away of absence following allegations that he was additionally investigated over alleged betting.
Police stated certainly one of PM Rishi Sunak’s police bodyguards was arrested on Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public workplace. The arrest got here after the playing regulator confirmed it was investigating “the potential of offences regarding the date of the election.”
The rising scandal, simply two weeks forward of the nationwide election, has dealt a contemporary blow to Sunak’s Conservative Occasion, which is extensively anticipated to lose to the opposition Labour Occasion after 14 years in energy.
Sunak stated this week that he was “extremely indignant” to be taught of the allegations and stated that anybody discovered to have damaged the legislation ought to be expelled from his get together. Sunak introduced on Could 22 that parliamentary elections could be held on July 4. The date had been a intently guarded secret and lots of have been taken without warning as a result of a vote had been anticipated within the fall.
Senior Conservative minister Michael Gove condemned the alleged betting and likened it to “Partygate,” the ethics scandal that contributed to former PM Boris Johnson’s ouster in 2022. “It appears to be like like one rule for them and one rule for us. That is probably the most doubtlessly damaging factor.”
