Labour Candidate Suspended
Labour has been pulled into the election betting scandal as Sir Keir Starmer was compelled to remove a candidate following a Gambling Commission investigation. Kevin Craig, standing in North Ipswich, was "administratively suspended" by the party after the regulator initiated a probe.
Conservative Party Involvement
The Conservative Party also faced scrutiny as they withdrew support for two candidates, Craig Williams and Laura Saunders, implicated in suspicious bets on the election date. The Gambling Commission is investigating these bets, worth as much as £100 each.
Further Revelations
In a surprising turn of events, the Gambling Commission indicated that five Metropolitan Police officers might have also placed bets on the election date. This revelation adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation.
Response from Political Figures
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Shadow Paymaster General Jonathan Ashworth criticized Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's handling of the situation, with Ashworth denouncing his leadership as "staggeringly weak." In response, Sunak emphasized the need for accountability, stating that those involved must face consequences.
