Fifteen Former Tory Politicians Face Court Over 2024 Election Betting Scandal

Fifteen individuals, including former Conservative MP Craig Williams and other senior Tory figures, have appeared in court facing charges related to cheating by gambling on the date of the 2024 general election. The Gambling Commission's investigation, named Operation Scott, alleges that these defendants placed bets using confidential insider information about the election date before it was publicly announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Williams, who served as Sunak’s parliamentary private secretary during the time, faces multiple charges including cheating at gambling and assisting others to cheat, while several others, including Welsh Senedd member Russell George and police officer Jeremy Hunt, have either pleaded not guilty or given no indication of plea. The prosecution emphasizes that placing bets with insider information constitutes a criminal offense. The defendants were released on bail and are scheduled for a preliminary hearing at Southwark Crown Court in July. Rishi Sunak has provided a witness statement in the case, and the scandal has drawn political attention, particularly from opposition parties questioning the Conservative response.