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Ex-Conservative MP Craig Williams Among 15 Charged in Election Betting Probe
Former Conservative Member of Parliament Craig Williams is among fifteen individuals, including several high-ranking Tories, who have been charged by the Gambling Commission for alleged cheating. The charges are connected to bets placed on the timing of the 2024 UK general election date. This development follows an investigation into potential misuse of insider information related to the election.
Key Figures Charged in Election Betting Allegations
Mr. Williams, who previously represented Montgomeryshire and served as Rishi Sunak’s parliamentary private secretary, faced repercussions after reports surfaced in The Guardian concerning alleged bets on a July election. This occurred shortly before the official election date was publicly announced, leading to the withdrawal of Conservative party backing.
Russell George, a Conservative member of the Welsh parliament representing the same constituency as Mr. Williams, is also among those charged, according to the Gambling Commission’s statement.
Other prominent individuals facing charges include:
- Laura Saunders: Conservative candidate for Bristol North West in July (lost party support after the investigation).
- Tony Lee: Conservatives’ campaigns director (married to Laura Saunders).
- Nick Mason: Former Conservative chief data officer.
Several other individuals charged have current or historical affiliations with the Conservative party.
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Party Response and Legal Proceedings
Darren Millar, Welsh Conservative leader, stated that Mr. George has been suspended from the Conservative group in the Senedd. Mr. Millar described this action as “a neutral act pending the outcome of the justice process.”
The Gambling Commission has confirmed that those charged are scheduled to appear at Westminster magistrates court on 13 June 2025. The commission elaborated that the investigation centered on “individuals suspected of exploiting confidential information – specifically, advance knowledge of the proposed election date – to secure an unfair advantage in betting markets.”
The commission clarified that such actions constitute a criminal offense under section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005, classified as cheating.
Political Fallout and Wider Investigation
Allegations that Mr. Williams and others attempted to manipulate betting markets by leveraging prior knowledge of the 4 July election date caused significant embarrassment for the Conservatives at the time the issue came to light.
Subsequent revelations indicated that up to seven Metropolitan police officers were also under scrutiny for bets related to the election timing. However, it has emerged that only one former officer, Jeremy Hunt, 55, is among the fifteen individuals formally charged.
List of Individuals Charged
The Gambling Commission identified the following additional individuals charged:
- Simon Chatfield, 51, of Farnham, Surrey (former chief marketing officer for the Conservative party).
- Amy Hind, 34, of Loughton, Essex.
- Anthony Hind, 36, of Loughton, Essex.
- Thomas James, 38, of Brecon.
- Charlotte Lang, 36, of Brixton, south London.
- Iain Makepeace, 47, of Newcastle upon Tyne.
- Paul Place, 53, of Hammersmith, west London.
- James Ward, 40, of Leytonstone, east London.
- Jacob Willmer, 39, of Richmond, south-west London.
Conservative Party Statement and Further Actions
A Conservative spokesperson stated that any party staff members facing charges have been suspended from their positions. The spokesperson added, “These incidents occurred in May last year. Our party is now under new leadership, and we are cooperating fully with the Gambling Commission.”
The Gambling Commission possesses the authority to conduct and prosecute its own investigations into alleged gambling-related offenses. While the Metropolitan police conducted a parallel inquiry into similar betting claims, it has since been discontinued.
Labour Party Reaction
Ellie Reeves, Labour MP and party chair, described this as “a very serious development.” Ms. Reeves stated, “The British public will expect that anyone found guilty of wrongdoing faces the full force of the law. Kemi Badenoch must make it unequivocally clear that anyone found guilty of exploiting insider information to defraud the system for personal enrichment has no place within the Conservative party.”