Former Conservative MP Craig Williams is among 15 people who have been charged after bets were placed on the timing of the 2024 general election, the Gambling Commission has revealed.
Williams was among a number of people linked to the Conservative Party reported to have made bets on the election date, which was called by then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The former Montgomeryshire MP admitted at the time to having a “flutter” on the election date just days before it was announced in May last year.
Among others facing charges are Russell George, the Tory Senedd member for Montgomeryshire, and Nick Mason, a former chief data officer for the party.
Following the Gambling Commission’s announcement, Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar said George had been suspended from the Conservative group in the Senedd, which he described as “a neutral act pending the outcome of the justice process.”
The investigation, which began in June 2024 as the election campaign took place, focused on “individuals suspected of using confidential information – specifically advance knowledge of the proposed election date – to gain an unfair advantage in betting markets,” according to the Gambling Commission.
Such actions would be considered a criminal offence under the Gambling Act 2005.
Alongside Williams, George, and Mason, those facing charges included Laura Saunders, 37, of Bristol, who was Conservative candidate for Bristol North West at the election.
Others named listed by the commission include: Simon Chatfield, 51, of Farnham, Surrey, a former chief marketing officer for the Conservative Party; Amy Hind, 34, of Loughton, Essex; Anthony Hind, 36, of Loughton, Essex; a former police officer named Jeremy Hunt, 55, of Horley, Surrey; Thomas James, 38, of Brecon; Charlotte Lang, 36, of Brixton, south London; Anthony Lee, 47, of Bristol; Iain Makepeace, 47, of Newcastle upon Tyne; Paul Place, 53, of Hammersmith, west London; James Ward, 40, of Leytonstone, east London; and Jacob Willmer, 39, of Richmond, southwest London.
The Conservative Party has been contacted for comment.
