Met Police investigate 7 officers for betting on UK election timing
3 Min Read
The Met had already announced that one of their officers had been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office and placed on restricted duties over election betting claims.
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Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak launches the Conservative campaign bus during a speech on Saturday, June 1, 2024. (AP)
The UK's Gambling Commission said it was making "rapid progress" in its election bets investigation as the Metropolitan Police confirmed that seven officers were now being investigated for placing bets on the timing of the general election.
Political bets are allowed in the UK but using insider knowledge to make them is against the law.
"We are focused on an investigation into confidential information being used to gain an unfair advantage when betting on the date of the General Election," stressed Andrew Rhodes, chief executive of the Gambling Commission.
"We understand the desire for information, however, to protect the integrity of the investigation and to ensure a fair and just outcome, we are unable to comment further at this time, including the name of any person who may be under suspicion," he added.
The Met will investigate a small number of bets made on the timing of the General Election as part of a joint investigation led by the Gambling Commission.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) June 27, 2024
Read more details about that investigation 🔽https://t.co/8hojYMtIRj
Leading the investigation, Detective Superintendent Katherine Goodwin said, "We have agreed a joint approach with the Gambling Commission, who are the appropriate authority to investigate the majority of these allegations."
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Rishi Sunak announced that he has received King Charles III's approval to dissolve Parliament and hold early elections. pic.twitter.com/2BfEpdK3St
"There will, however, be a small number of cases where a broader criminal investigation by the police is required. We will aim to provide updates at key points as our investigation progresses," she added.
The Met had already announced that one of their officers had been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office and placed on restricted duties over election betting claims.
Six other officers have now been identified as having placed bets on the timing of the poll and are being probed by the industry regulator the Gambling Commission.
The force noted that the other officers had not been arrested but were being investigated by the Gambling Commission.
UK PM Rishi Sunak was thrown shouts of “shame” last week and was challenged on the alleged betting on the general election date, saying he was “incredibly angry” about it.
Sunak is obligated to call for a national vote by January 28 next year at the latest, and he has indicated that he intends to hold a poll in the latter half of 2024.
His Conservative Party withdrew its support from two of its election candidates under investigation, while Labour suspended one of its candidates, after allegedly betting he would lose his constituency battle.
