UK Gambling Commission Investigates Police Officers for Election Betting
The UK Gambling Commission has indicated that five additional police officers are under investigation for allegedly betting on the timing of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s snap election.
Metropolitan Police Involvement
According to the Metropolitan Police, the officers in question were tasked with providing protection to members of the royal family, politicians, and diplomats. While no arrests have been made so far, the investigation is ongoing.
This case follows closely on the heels of a similar incident where one of Sunak’s police bodyguards was scrutinized for allegedly using privileged information to place bets on the election date.
That officer was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Tory Candidate Alister Jack’s Admission
Further compounding the issue, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack, a Tory candidate, has admitted to placing bets on the election date. In an interview with the BBC, Jack confessed to making three wagers in April, prior to Sunak’s announcement of the snap election. He insists that these bets were placed without any insider knowledge.
Jack stated: “I had no knowledge of the date of the election until the day it was called. I placed no bets in May and am not under investigation by the Gambling Commission.”
Despite claiming that one of his bets, which purportedly earned him £2,100, was a joke, Jack admitted to placing a £20 bet at five to one odds, potentially earning £120. He also revealed that he placed two £5 bets earlier in the year, predicting the elections to be held in May and June.
The ongoing investigations by the UK Gambling Commission and the Metropolitan Police highlight the seriousness of the allegations and the potential ramifications for those involved. As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen what further actions will be taken and how this will impact the broader political and security landscape.
