So, here's the scoop: Rishi Sunak just came out saying he doesn't know of any other Conservative candidates being probed by the Gambling Commission for allegedly betting on when the next general election will happen. However, he did confirm that the Tories are doing their own investigations alongside the Commission's.
The Commission's keeping mum on exactly who they're looking into, but the names of four Conservative figures have leaked out, with two of them gearing up for the elections. Pressure's been building on Sunak from all sides, with even folks in his own party calling for those candidates to be benched.
Tobias Ellwood, another Conservative, weighed in, calling this whole debacle "not helpful at all" and insisting on decisive action from the party. Meanwhile, Labour's Sir Keir Starmer has been on the offensive, demanding leadership from Sunak and suggesting he'd swiftly axe any of his own candidates caught in such a mess.
Critics have slammed the Tories' internal probe as a stall tactic, aimed at kicking the can down the road until after the election. Chris Heaton-Harris, standing up for the PM, argued that folks shouldn't be labeled guilty before all the facts are out. Fair point, right?
The root of this scandal traces back to allegations that Craig Williams, a close aide to the Prime Minister, dropped a hundred quid on a July election date just before it was announced. Williams, standing for election in Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, admitted a "huge error of judgment" but dodged the question on whether he had insider info.
According to the Gambling Act, using insider knowledge for a bet could spell legal trouble. Laura Saunders and Tony Lee, both Conservatives, are also under the Commission's microscope, alongside Nick Mason, the party's data bigwig. Mason's camp has denied any foul play, while both he and Lee have taken a breather from their party duties.
Behind the scenes, the Commission isn't just looking at those in the spotlight. It's a bigger net they're casting, involving other figures tied to the ruling party. So, there's more to this than meets the eye.
Speaking out in Edinburgh, Sunak admitted he's in the dark about the Commission's specifics but assured everyone they're doing their own digging. He made it crystal clear: he's clean, never wagered a penny on politics since he took office.
Sunak's been hammered with questions, even from Harry Cole at The Sun, who grilled him on whether he'd check who knew about the election date in advance. Sunak sidestepped to protect ongoing investigations but was blunt: if anyone's skirted the rules, they're out on their ear, no two ways about it.
Earlier that day, Ellwood from Bournemouth East chimed in, slamming the scandal as a massive headache. When asked if the Tories should pull support from Williams and Saunders, he didn't mince words: action's overdue, plain and simple.
Jo Johnson, a Tory bigwig, vented on BBC's Newsnight, voicing widespread frustration among Conservative candidates and activists. He pointed fingers at No. 10, calling for decisive action to nip this in the bud. He's got a point there.
Over on the opposition side, Ed Davey of the Liberal Democrats threw shade at the Tories, accusing them of putting their own interests above the public good. Typical politics, eh?
And just when things couldn't get juicier, Labour's Pat McFadden sent a letter to the Gambling Commission, demanding they spill the beans on other figures under investigation. The Commission's CEO, Andrew Rhodes, dodged specifics, citing the need to keep the probe clean and fair. A standoff, it seems.
So, there you have it, folks. The British political scene's heating up with allegations, denials, and calls for action. Buckle up, because this ride's far from over.
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