Gamblegate: Metropolitan Police end involvement in criminal investigation

The Metropolitan Police has concluded its involvement in the criminal investigation relating to the placing of bets on the general election.

However, the investigation will continue, led by the Gambling Commission, over potential cases where points of the Gambling Act 2005 have been breached.

The Met began to look at bets that were suspected to be in breach of Section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005 (Cheating), but also with additional offences including misconduct in public office, being probed.

However, only a small number of cases were identified as falling under the category of breaches outside of the Gambling Act 2005.

The evidence in those cases was obtained and reviewed by detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command before advice was sought from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

In turn, based on advice from the CPS, it was determined that the high bar to prove misconduct in public office took place was not met by the evidence.

Therefore, the Met agreed with the Gambling Commission that the offences to investigate would be best explored by the commission under the terms of the Gambling Act 2005.

The Met said: “The Met’s involvement in the investigation of any criminal matters will now come to an end and the cases will be passed back to the Gambling Commission for further investigation.”

Gamblegate engulfed the UK in the run up to the general election, which took place on 4 July, after then-prime minister Rishi Sunak’s private parliamentary secretary admitted to having a “flutter” on the date prior to it being announced.

The ensuing controversy saw four other Tories caught up in Gamblegate, including Bristol North West candidate Laura Saunders and her husband Tony Lee – the party’s director of campaigns.

Chief data officer Nick Mason and a Welsh Tory, Russell George, were also named in the scandal while Labour candidate Kevin Craig was suspended by his party after placing a bet.

Additionally, seven police officers, including one of Sunak’s close security detail, were alleged to have placed on bets on the date of the general election.

And while the Met’s involvement in the case has come to an end, the seven police officers who allegedly partook in betting activity are still among those being investigated by the Gambling Commission.

The officers are also being investigated by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards.

The Tories were ultimately smashed at the voting polls as Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party come to power in a landslide victory.

Katherine Goodwin, Metropolitan Police detective superintendent, noted Gamblegate had caused a “significant dent in public confidence” and an investigation was the right path to take.

She said: “While our involvement in the criminal investigation now ceases, it’s important that is not misinterpreted as an all clear for those whose cases were looked at.

“There are still Gambling Act offences to consider and it is appropriate that they are taken forward by investigators from the Gambling Commission who have particular expertise in this field,” Goodwin added.

Andrew Rhodes, Gambling Commission CEO, said: “We have remained focused on our criminal investigation into confidential information being used to gain an unfair advantage when betting on the date of the general election.

“Our investigation continues to progress and we have interviewed several suspects under caution. We are continuing to interview a number of witnesses, who are co-operating with this criminal investigation, as well as gathering further documentary and electronic evidence.

“We clearly appreciate the level of public interest there is in this investigation but, in order to protect the integrity of the investigation and to ensure a fair and just outcome, we are unable to comment further at this time, including the name of any person who may be under suspicion, or the total number of suspects.”