Tory Candidate and Husband Under Investigation
Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, is facing a deepening gambling scandal as one of his top campaign chiefs, Laura Saunders, and her husband Tony Lee, the Conservatives’ director of campaigning, are being probed by the Gambling Commission. Mr. Lee has taken a leave of absence in light of the revelations.
Second Tory Candidate Caught Betting on Early Election
A second Tory candidate, Laura Saunders, was found to have placed a bet on the prospect of an early July election. This comes after another Conservative candidate, Craig Williams, also placed a bet on an early election. The investigation has led to calls for Ms. Saunders to be suspended by Labour and the Lib Dems.
Reactions and Responses
Cabinet Minister Michael Gove expressed disappointment, stating that the situation is far from ideal. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called for Ms. Saunders to be suspended immediately, criticizing Rishi Sunak for not taking action. Nigel Farage commented on the situation, suggesting that the corruption within the Tories may run deeper than expected.
Gambling Commission's Investigation
The Gambling Commission is investigating potential offenses related to the election date and the use of inside information for betting purposes. The Commission stated that they are looking into the matter and cannot provide further details at this time.
