UK politician in Gambling Commission sights after election bet cheating

A UK politician is among 15 people charged with offences under the Gambling Act 2005, with the allegations surrounding bets on the  timing of the 2024 General Election. 

Among those charged were former Tory MP for Montgomeryshire Craig Williams who was then a senior aid to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. 

Williams, who appeared in the dock at Westminster magistrates court, has been charged with cheating at gambling and three counts of enabling or assisting others to cheat. 

Russell George, who now represents Montgomeryshire in the Welsh Senedd as an independent, was also among those charged after he was suspended from the Tory group.

Welsh Conservatives Director Thomas James has also been caught up in the scandal and has been suspended until the matter is resolved. 

Twelve of those charged have indicated they will plead not guilty, with these including George and James.

Williams, Jacob Wilmer and Jeremy Hunt, an ex-police offiicer who was part of Sunak’s close protection unit, have not indicated how they will plead. 

All of those charged have been released on unconditional bail with a preliminary hearing set to be heard at Southwark Crown on July 11. 

Betting on sports in the UK is legal with online bookmakers featuring markets on politics, including the general election, but cheating via inside knowledge is against the law.

The Gambling Commission regulates and oversees all forms of land-based and online gambling in the United Kingdom, with this regulator regarded as one of the most prudent globally.