Most Defendants Deny Charges in UK Election Betting Scandal

Charges Rooted in Insider Knowledge

The accused are facing allegations of cheating under Section 42 of the Gambling Act, a provision targeting dishonest practices in gambling. The charges relate to bets placed on the date of the 2024 general election—announced unexpectedly for 4 July—before it was made public. The Gambling Commission began investigating in June 2024 after an operator raised concerns about wagers made by individuals deemed “politically sensitive.”

Twelve of the fifteen individuals have formally denied the accusations, while three—including former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s parliamentary private secretary Craig Williams—did not enter a plea. Alongside Williams, ex-police officer Jeremy Hunt and Conservative advisor Jacob Wilmer have also withheld pleas at this stage.

The accused include a cross-section of Conservative political machinery: campaign directors, digital staff, data officers and parliamentary candidates. Several face additional charges of aiding or enabling others to cheat.

A Closer Look at the Defendants

Among those who pleaded not guilty are Bristol North candidate Laura Saunders and her husband Anthony Lee, the party’s director of campaigning. Other figures include:

• Simon Chatfield, former party marketing officer

• Russell George, ex-Montgomeryshire Senedd member

• Amy and Anthony Hind, with Anthony serving as the Tories’ deputy digital director

• Thomas James, Welsh Conservatives director

• Charlotte Lang, a 2019 Tory election candidate

• Iain Makepeace, former head of party creative and print

• Nick Mason, ex-chief data officer

• Paul Place, party-affiliated charity trustee

• James Ward, former party aide

If found guilty in a criminal court, the defendants face up to two years’ imprisonment or an unlimited fine. However, since the proceedings began in a magistrates’ court, the maximum sentence there would be six months or a fine—unless the Crown Court decides otherwise after July’s hearing.

Fallout from the Snap Election

The wider controversy dates back to a dramatic political moment. In June 2024, when then-Prime Minister Sunak called a surprise election, the Gambling Commission received notice that a suspicious bet had been placed by someone with potential insider knowledge. Within days, the investigation widened to include multiple political and police figures.

Separate from the Gambling Commission’s inquiry, the Metropolitan Police also launched a probe after reports surfaced that as many as seven officers had placed similar bets. One officer, serving in the prime minister’s protection team, was arrested. Although no charges resulted from the Met’s investigation—which closed in August 2024—the force left open the possibility of criminal charges being pursued through regulatory bodies.

All fifteen defendants are due to appear again at Southwark Crown Court on 11 July.