UK Tories call for probe into alleged Russian election interference
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Experts claim that the activity is connected to Russia and that the social media groups' administrators, who oversee 190,000 subscribers overall, are situated in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
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Richard Holden leaves Downing Street after he is appointed to replace Greg Hands as Tory party chair, in London, Monday, November 13, 2023. (AP)
The Times newspaper revealed on Sunday that UK Conservative Party chairman Richard Holden is requesting an investigation by National Security Advisor Tim Barrow and Cabinet Secretary Simon Case into claims of alleged Russian meddling in the nation's general election.
The Australian broadcaster ABC said on Saturday that it was keeping an eye on the activities of five Facebook profiles allegedly promoting pro-Russian content and supporting Nigel Farage, the right-wing leader of the UK Reform Party.
Experts claim that the activity is connected to Russia and that their administrators, who oversee 190,000 subscribers overall, are situated in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak officially announced on Wednesday that the upcoming general election in the country is scheduled for July 4.
"Earlier today I spoke with his majesty the King to request the dissolution of parliament. The King has granted me this request and we will have a general election on the 4th of July," Sunak said in a statement outside 10 Downing Street.
Alleged insider betting
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.
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's 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.
![In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had "engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)](https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/12/21/b4a69f2e-8682-43e4-9d37-49482b304ab3/3.png?v=2&format=webp "In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had \"engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)")
