UK election betting scandal widens as a fourth Conservative Party official reportedly investigated
- Chief data officer Nick Mason has taken leave of absence, British media reported, as Gambling Commission investigates alleged betting on election date
The chief data officer of Britain’s Conservative Party has taken a leave of absence, British media reported on Sunday, following growing allegations that the governing party’s members used inside information to bet on the date of Britain’s July 4 national election before it was announced.
The Sunday Times newspaper and other media outlets reported that Nick Mason is the fourth Conservative official to be investigated by the UK’s Gambling Commission for allegedly betting on the timing of the election.
The Times alleged that dozens of bets had been placed with potential winnings worth thousands of pounds.
The reports came after revelations in recent days that two Conservative election candidates, Laura Saunders and Craig Williams, are under investigation by the gambling watchdog.
Saunders’ husband Tony Lee, the Conservative director of campaigning, has also taken a leave of absence following allegations he was also investigated over alleged betting.
