Rishi Sunak refused to say if Tory cabinet members would be dragged into the betting scandal which has seen three party figures investigated by the Gambling Commission
Rishi Sunak refused to say whether members of his Cabinet were betting on the timing of the general election as the Tory campaign spiralled further into crisis.
Three senior figures are understood to be under investigation by the Gambling Commission for allegedly placing bets on election date. In addition, a member of Mr Sunak’s police defence team was arrested and suspended in a similar investigation. The rate hike came days before Mr Sunak’s surprise announcement in May.
Mr Sunak has been instructed to be “candid” about how many people were involved. The Tory party said it was aware of a “small number” of the people being investigated, but officials would not say how many.
Labour leader Keir Starmer accused the Prime Minister of a “complete lack of leadership”. Asked by LBC if he was confident no Cabinet minister would be implicated in the scandal, Mr Sunak refused to answer. He said: “The first thing I have to say is that I was incredibly angry when I learned of these allegations – the same anger that many of you and all of you watching will be feeling.”
“It is right that they are thoroughly investigated, these are serious allegations.” It is right that they are thoroughly investigated as they are. Independently, including as part of a criminal investigation. If someone is found to have broken the rules they should be held fully to account under the law.”
Sky News then asked him if he could honestly say he was not aware of any other Tories who had placed bets on the election date. Mr Sunak again dodged the question, saying: “I cannot add much to what I have said before. There are numerous investigations underway at the moment. It is right that these investigations are allowed to go ahead and are independent and strictly confidential.”
The Prime Minister has refused to suspend two candidates – Laura Saunders and Mr Sunak’s adviser Craig Williams. Ms Saunders’ husband Tony Lee resigned as the party’s campaign manager after it was revealed he was also under investigation.
Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth said: “He must come clean to the public. He promised integrity, professionalism and a sense of responsibility but instead his weakness has meant he has faced the same levels of nastiness and scandal that have become synonymous with the last 14 years of Tory government. Government
‘Rishi Sunak must take immediate action against all those involved.’
Mr Starmer told broadcasters during a campaign visit to Scotland: ‘The Prime Minister is showing a complete lack of leadership. Let’s see what really happened.
“When it comes to the general election, the instinct of these Tories in calling a general election is not ‘how can we make this work for the good of the country?’ How can I make some money? And it gives you a bigger picture of politics.
“Of course he should suspend these candidates. If they were my candidates, they’d be gone by now, out of the door. He needs to take tough action. He’s not even saying today whether there are more involved.”