Former Conservative MP Craig Williams has been charged with betting offences by the Gambling Commission, after allegedly placing a wager on the date of last year’s general election.
Williams is one of 15 people who were charged on Monday following an investigation into alleged cheating under the Gambling Act.
Last May, then-prime minister Rishi Sunak called a general election for July 4, surprising many who had expected the ballot to be held later in the year.
Williams was an aide to Sunak at the time, as well as being the MP for Montgomeryshire. He lost his seat at the election.
The Gambling Commission, which began its probe during the general election campaign, said the investigation focused on “individuals suspected of using confidential information — specifically advance knowledge of the proposed election date — to gain an unfair advantage in betting markets”.
Actions such as this constitute as cheating under the Gambling Act 2005.
Those charged are set to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 13th.
Laura Saunders, who was the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Bristol North West, is also one of the people charged. Russell George, the Senedd member for Montgomeryshire, and Nick Mason, a former chief data officer for the Conservative party, were also charged.
This is a developing story
