Ex-Conservative MP Charged By UK’s Gambling Commission Over Election Timing Bets

Former Conservative MP Craig Williams has been charged by the Gambling Commission over bets made on the timing of the national election last year.

Williams Is Amongst the 15 Individuals Charged by the Gambling Commission

On April 14, the UK gambling regulator announced that 15 individuals had been charged with offences under the Gambling Act 2005. The charges are related to alleged bets placed on the timing of the 2024 general election. Britain’s election dates aren’t set in stone, and the timing—determined by the prime minister – is often the subject of intense speculation, with bookmakers offering odds on potential outcomes.

Craig Williams, who was the MP for Montgomeryshire and an aide to then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, is included in the charged group over an alleged bet regarding the 2024 general elections. According to a report from the Guardian, Williams made a £100 bet on May 19 of last year that the elections would take place in July. This happened three days before the date was announced by the former Prime Minister Sunak.

Among the names that Williams joins are Russell George, a Member of the Senedd, who has since been suspended from the Welsh Conservative group. Other notable persons include Thomas James, the director of the Welsh Conservatives, as well as Nick Mason, a former chief data officer for the party. Laura Saunders, the former Conservative parliamentary candidate in Bristol North West, and her partner, Anthony Lee, a former director of campaigning for the Conservatives, are also among the 15 people charged by the UK Gambling Commission.

The gambling regulator explained that its investigation was launched during the June 2024 election campaign. It centered on individuals “suspected of using confidential information—namely, advance knowledge of the proposed election date—to gain an unfair advantage in betting markets.”

What Are the Responses?

Following the announcement of the charges on Monday, a Conservative Party spokesperson stated that the party holds the view that individuals involved in politics must uphold the highest standards of integrity. The spokesperson added that any current staff members who have been charged are being suspended with immediate effect.

In addition, the spokesperson explained that the incidents occurred in May of last year. The party is now under new leadership and is cooperating fully with the Gambling Commission to support a swift and transparent conclusion to the investigation.

The Labor Party chairwoman Ellie Reeves also commented on the news, saying that the British people will expect that anyone found guilty of wrongdoing faces the full force of the law. She also said that the Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch should make it clear that anyone proven to have used insider information to manipulate the system for personal gain has no place within the Conservative Party.

Lastly, while the Gambling Commission stated it could not provide more details on ongoing criminal cases, it said that it is committed to upholding the law and will continue to take robust action against illegal betting practices. “The Commission, as the independent regulator of gambling in Great Britain, is committed to protecting consumers and the public, ensuring confidence in the industry, and upholding high standards among licensees.”

If found guilty, each of the 15 charged individuals could face up to two years in prison and may also be subject to a fine.