Ex-Tory MP and 14 others charged with placing bets on 2024 General Election (2025)

A former Conservative MP has been charged with a gambling offence over alleged bets placed on the timing of last year’s general election.

Craig Williams, the MP for Montgomeryshire in Wales, was one of Rishi Sunak’s closest aides during his term as Prime Minister.

He is among 15 people who have been charged with offences under the Gambling Act 2005 after an investigation into alleged cheating by the Gambling Commission.

Several other figures linked to the party have also been charged, including Laura Saunders – who stood as the Tory candidate for Bristol North West last year – and her partner Tony Lee, the Tories’ director of campaigning.

Nick Mason, a Conservative councillor who served as the party’s chief data officer, is among them too.

The Gambling Commission said: ‘The investigation, initiated in June 2024, focused on individuals suspected of using confidential information – specifically advance knowledge of the proposed election date – to gain an unfair advantage in betting markets.

‘Such actions constitute an offence of cheating under Section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005, a criminal offence.’

The revelation of alleged bets placed on the timing of the general election last year by people close to the Conservative leadership was among the major factors that derailed the party’s 2024 campaign.

Williams was dropped as a candidate, and he lost his seat to Labour on July 4.

Saunders also failed in her bid to become an MP, losing out to Darren Jones who became Labour’s Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

A spokesman for the Conservatives said current members of staff who have been charged are now being suspended with immediate effect.

He added: ‘These incidents took place in May last year. Our Party is now under new leadership and we are cooperating fully with the Gambling Commission to ensure that their investigation can conclude swiftly and transparently.’

Labour Party Chair Ellie Reeves described the news of the charges as a ‘very serious development’.

She said: ‘The British people will expect that anyone found guilty of wrongdoing faces the full force of the law.

‘Kemi Badenoch must make crystal clear that anyone found guilty of using insider information to cheat the system to try to enrich themselves has no place in the Conservative Party. No ifs, no buts.’

A separate investigation by the Metropolitan Police into a ‘small number of cases’ where offences such as misconduct in public office might apply ended in August without charges.

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