The gambling regulator in Great Britain is investigating whether insider knowledge was used to bet on the election date. Another suspected case has come to light in Prime Minister Sunak’s circle.
Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is facing further negative headlines two weeks before the upcoming general election. The Gambling Commission is investigating whether illegal bets were placed on the election date. The campaign manager of Sunak’s Conservative Party has taken a leave of absence for the time being, the British news agency PA reported on Thursday. British media had previously reported that his wife may have placed a bet.
A week ago it was already revealed that a close associate of Sunak had bet on a date in July. A police officer who works for Sunak’s personal security is also suspected and was temporarily arrested.
Elections will take place in Great Britain in July
The election date is set much more quickly in Great Britain than in Germany, for example. The date had long been the subject of speculation. Sunak surprisingly announced in May that a new parliament would be elected on July 4. For a long time, a date in the autumn was considered likely. A spokesman for the Gambling Commission stressed last week that betting using insider information was a criminal offence.
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“We have been contacted by the Gambling Commission about a small number of people,” a spokesman for the Conservative Party said, according to PA. As it is an independent authority, it is not appropriate to comment further until the process is complete. Opposition leader Keir Starmer, whose Labour Party is leading in the polls, demanded clarification. “It is astonishing that we find ourselves in this situation,” said Starmer. Sunak must account for who exactly knew what.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
