Up to five people – possibly including a politician – could face prosecution in the betting scandal over the date of the general election, Sky News can reveal.
A source has told Sky News: “The Gambling Commission is looking to prosecute at least three suspects, but possibly up to five. This includes a politician and a close protection guard.”
It is understood that the commission is not yet at the point of making an announcement and a spokesperson said the commission would not comment on an ongoing investigation.
“We clearly appreciate the level of public interest there is in this ongoing investigation,” a commission spokesperson told Sky News.
“But to protect the integrity of the investigation and to ensure a fair and just outcome, we are unable to comment further at this time, including the name of any person who may be under suspicion, or the total number of suspects.
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The investigation is into whether people placed bets on a 4 July election as a result of inside knowledge in the days leading up to the then prime minister Rishi Sunak’s shock announcement of an early poll on 22 May.
The election date betting scandal began in June when Craig Williams, formerly MP for Montgomeryshire and Mr Sunak’s parliamentary private secretary, admitted he was being investigated by the Gambling Commission.
Mr Williams had placed a £100 bet on a July election at Ladbrokes in his constituency just days before Mr Sunak’s announcement. Based on odds at the time, he would have won £500.
“I put a flutter on the general election some weeks ago,” he said in a post on X on 13 June. “This has resulted in some routine inquiries and I confirm I will fully co-operate with these.”
Next, just a week before polling day, Sky News revealed that Mr Sunak’s Downing Street chief of staff Liam Booth-Smith was being questioned by the commission, the statutory body that regulates betting in the…
