Gamblegate: Sunak and Starmer clash in debate as Met Police takes greater role

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer clashed over Gamblegate yesterday, 26 June, in the final head-to-head debate between the two ahead of the general election next week.

Clashing on the live BBC debate from Nottingham, Starmer said the prime minister had been “bullied into” taking action by withdrawing support for two Tory candidates ahead of polling day.

The Conservative Party withdrew backing for Craig Williams and Laura Saunders following their implication in the scandal, although both will remain on the ballot in their respective constituencies.

Starmer drew comparisons with one of Labour’s candidates, Kevin Craig, who was suspended “within minutes” after he  admitted in a statement to placing a bet against himself to win the Central Suffolk and North Ipswich seat. Craig said he placed the bet with the intention of donating the potential winnings to charity.

Starmer said: “I think that in the last 14 years politics has become too much about self entitlement, and MPs thinking about what they could get for themselves.

“The instinct of these people to think the first thing they should do is try to make money, that was the wrong instinct, and we have to change that.

“My candidates know I have the highest standards. They have seen by my actions the consequences,” he added.

The debate came as the Metropolitan Police said it was set to take a more active role in the Gambling Commission’s ongoing investigation.

As it stands, six police officers are under the microscope for their alleged involvement in the scandal, with one of Sunak’s close security team having been arrested and then later released on bail.

A Scotland Yard spokesperson said: “The Met is not taking over the investigation into bets on the timing of the general election.

“The Gambling Commission will continue to lead the investigation into cases where the alleged offending is limited to breaches of the Gambling Act only.

“Met detectives will lead on investigating a small number of cases to assess whether the alleged offending goes beyond Gambling Act offences to include others, such as misconduct in public office.”

However, at least seven Met Police officers are under investigation over bets on the timing of the general election. The Met said six officers were implicated earlier this week.

While Williams and Saunders, as well as three other Tory figures in the shape of Saunders’ husband and director of campaigns Tony Lee, chief data officer Nick Mason and Welsh Conservative Russell George, are being investigated, the furore over betting has exploded.

The Sun has reported industry supporter Phillip Davies placed an £8,000 bet on losing his own marginal seat of Shipley, to which the long-serving MP said was “nobody’s business”.

And this morning, business minister Kevin Hollindrake revealed he had bet on the Tories to win a parliamentary majority “some months ago”.

He said: “We should have a proper debate about and decide whether it’s right or wrong that people have a bet on things they are involved in.”

There is no suggestion Davies or Hollindrake are currently involved in the ongoing Gambling Commission investigation.

Speaking to EGR, QiH Group COO Andrew Lee reflected on the scandal that has become a daily frontpage feature.

Lee said: “The gambling industry is always striving to create safer, more responsible gambling and we spend a good proportion of our time researching and implementing this. 

“Unfortunately, when stories like the election betting behaviour of politicians come to light, the public rightly wonder what checks and balances we have in the igaming industry to ensure these sorts of things don’t happen. 

“There are already further checks for PEPs – politically exposed persons – but they don’t seem to have worked as designed in this instance, and I think we’ll potentially see further requirements introduced as a result of these investigations. 

“It’s curious that those involved have allegedly been willing to break the MP Code of Conduct for a relatively trivial sum of money – and, if the onus is put further on the gambling industry to ensure politicians’ ethics in betting, it could open up a lot of friction and debate within the sector. 

“Either way, positive changes will be welcome to ensure gambling remains safe, legal and in all ways above board.”

With the general election just one week away, the BBC average poll tracker has Labour out in front on 41%, the Tories on 20%, Reform UK on 16% and the Lib Dems on 11%.

Who’s who?

Craig Williams – the first Tory candidate to be stung after admitting to having a “flutter” on the date of the general election. The party has withdrawn support, but he will still stand in his constituency.

Laura Saunders – another Tory candidate, standing in Bristol North West, has also had party support withdrawn. She is married to Tony Lee.

Tony Lee – Conservative Party’s director of campaigns. Has since taken a leave of absence. He is married to Laura Saunders.

Nick Mason – Conservative Party’s chief data officer. Has also taken a leave of absence.

Russell George – latest Tory to be caught up in Gamblegate. Welsh parliamentarian who stands in the same constituency as Craig Williams.

Kevin Craig – Labour candidate for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich. Has been suspended by his party.