UK Police Drop Probe Into Conservative Party Insider Betting

London’s Metropolitan Police (the Met) has concluded its investigation into the betting scandal that marred the lead-up to Britain’s July 4 general election.

None of those investigated will be charged with misconduct in public office, the Met said. However, it’s still possible that they could still be charged under the Gambling Act for cheating at gambling.

The Gambling Commission is still examining the actions of numerous senior Conservatives accused of placing bets on the timing of the election based on information known only by a select few. The wagers were allegedly placed just days before the “snap” election was announced by then-prime minister Rishi Sunak.

Conservative Downfall

The scandal was one of the factors that contributed to the Conservative Party’s landslide defeat in the election. A survey by thinktank Demos found the incident had further eroded voters’ trust in the party’s ability to govern.

Among those accused was Craig Williams, who at the time, was Sunak’s chief aide. Williams has admitted placing a £100 bet on a July election at odds of 5/1.

Also in the frame is Tony Lee, the Conservative Party’s director of campaigns. Williams, along with Lee’s wife, Laura Saunders, were standing in the election as prospective MPs but withdrew in the wake of the scandal.

Embarrassingly for the Met, “at least seven” of its own officers, including one who was part of Sunak’s protection detail, were also investigated for insider election betting. Their cases are being examined by the Met’s directorate of professional standards and the Gambling Commission.

High Bar Not Met

Misconduct in public office is a serious offense that has a maximum prison sentence of life. But after reviewing the case of the senior Conservatives, the Crown Prosecution determined that the “high bar for misconduct in public office to be proven was not met.”

It has therefore been agreed between the Met and the Gambling Commission that the more appropriate criminal offences to progress with would be those under the Gambling Act.” a Met spokesperson 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.”

UK Gambling Law prohibits “cheating at gambling,” but doesn’t define what this might involve. It is unclear therefore whether insider betting constitutes cheating in the eyes of the law.