Rishi Sunak’s Ex-Aide Among 15 Charged in Election Betting Scandal
Los Angeles/Apr 14, 2025
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/Agary Singh
The UK Gambling Commission has charged 15 individuals—including a close former aide to Rishi Sunak—with alleged offences linked to betting on the timing of the 2024 general election.
The group facing charges includes a sitting member of the Welsh Senedd, a former police officer, and multiple former Conservative Party staff and candidates. The allegations relate to bets placed using inside knowledge about the date of the election, which was officially announced as 4 July 2024.
The commission began investigating in June 2024 amid suspicions that certain individuals exploited confidential information to profit from wagers placed before the election date was publicly revealed. The accused are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court at 10am this Friday.
One of the central figures is Craig Williams, a former Montgomeryshire MP and Rishi Sunak’s parliamentary private secretary at the time. Williams admitted last year to placing a £100 bet just days before the election date was announced. He called it a “serious error of judgment,” though insisted it was not criminal.
Also charged is Russell George, a Conservative Senedd member, who had recently been re-selected for candidacy but has now been suspended by the party pending the outcome of legal proceedings.
Others charged include:
- Jeremy Hunt, a former police officer (not the former Chancellor)
- Tony Lee, the Conservative Party’s former campaign director
- Laura Saunders, his wife and a former parliamentary candidate
- Nick Mason, the party’s ex-chief data officer
Several of the individuals held senior roles within Conservative election operations or communications. The party has said it has suspended any current employees named in the charges.
“The Conservative Party expects the highest standards from its members and staff,” a spokesperson said. “Those facing charges have been suspended. This matter dates back to May last year, and we are cooperating fully with the Gambling Commission’s investigation.”
Complete List of Those Facing Charges:
- Simon Chatfield, 51 – former chief marketing officer, Conservative Party
- Russell George, 50 – suspended Senedd member for Montgomeryshire
- Amy Hind, 34
- Anthony Hind, 36 – former deputy digital director, Conservative Party
- Jeremy Hunt, 55 – former police officer
- Thomas James, 38 – Welsh Conservatives director
- Charlotte Lang, 36 – 2019 Tory candidate, now with Hanbury Strategy
- Tony Lee, 47 – ex-campaign director
- Iain Makepeace, 47 – former head of creative, design & print
- Nick Mason, 51 – ex-chief data officer
- Paul Place, 53 – trustee at Conservative agents’ association
- Laura Saunders, 37 – former 2024 Tory candidate
- James Ward, 40
- Craig Williams, 39 – ex-MP and Sunak’s former aide
- Jacob Willmer, 39 – former special adviser, now at Consulum
Labour Responds
Kevin Craig, a Labour candidate, was also investigated after betting on himself to lose but was cleared in December. Labour chair Ellie Reeves condemned the incident, stating:
“This is a serious matter. Anyone found guilty of using inside information for personal profit must face full legal consequences. There’s no place in public life for this kind of behaviour.”
She added that Labour is focused on restoring trust and stability following years of “Conservative chaos.”
Police Inquiry Dropped, Gambling Probe Continues
While the Metropolitan Police opened an inquiry into possible misconduct in public office, it concluded in August 2024 without pressing charges. However, the Gambling Commission’s investigation into potential breaches of betting regulations continued, leading to this week's criminal charges.
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