Tories pull candidate's support over betting scandal

The Conservative Party has withdrawn support from two candidates who are under investigation for allegedly betting on the date of the general election.

Craig Williams, candidate in Montgomeryshire and Gland, and Laura Saunders, candidate in Bristol North West, are both being looked at by the Gambling Commission.

The pair will still appear on the ballot under the Conservative Party banner but the decision means they will be independent if elected, pending the outcome of the investigation.

When asked by the BBC, he refused to say whether he had made the bet based on inside information.

A spokesman for Ms Saunders said she would co-operate with the Gambling Commission and had nothing further to add.

A Conservative Party spokesman said: “As a result of ongoing internal inquiries, we have concluded that we cannot support either Craig Williams or Laura Saunders as parliamentary candidates at the next general election.

“We have checked with the Gambling Commission that this decision does not compromise the investigation they are carrying out, which is rightly independent and ongoing.”

Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer commented on news that support had been withdrawn from the candidates, saying: “Why didn't this happen a week ago?”

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: “It should have happened when these defamatory revelations came out, but instead Rishi-Sanq has heeded and delayed.”

Two sources had previously told the BBC that the party board had held urgent discussions on how to handle the row.

Two Conservative staff members have also taken leave of absence from their roles after it emerged they were being looked into by the Gambling Commission.

The BBC has been told the Gambling Commission is considering whether more police officers are involved.

The Metropolitan Police has denied reports that it leaked the names of people being investigated for alleged betting on election dates.