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

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Tory figures were alleged to have placed bets on the date of the UK election before it was announced. Photo: Reuters

Published: 7:04am, 24 Jun 2024Updated: 10:33am, 24 Jun 2024

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.

The widening scandal has further damaged Rishi Sunak’s attempts to catch the opposition Labour Party. Photo: AP

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.

Police said one of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s police bodyguards was arrested on Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest came after the gambling regulator confirmed it was investigating “the possibility of offences concerning the date of the election”.