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Tuesday, Aug 11, 2026
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Sunak Aide Under Investigation for Election Bet
Craig Williams, an aide to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, is being investigated by the Gambling Commission after placing a bet on the date of the general election. Williams confirmed placing the bet on a July election days before Sunak named the date. If successful, the bet could have resulted in a five-hundred-pound payout; he regrets his actions and will cooperate fully.
Craig Williams, a senior aide to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, has admitted that the Gambling Commission is investigating him after he reportedly placed a bet on the date of the general election.
Williams, a Tory candidate in Montgomeryshire & Glyndwr, confirmed he placed a £100 bet on an election occurring in July just days before Sunak named 4 July as the election date.
The bet, if successful, could have resulted in a £500 payout. Williams has stated he will fully cooperate with the probe and regrets not considering how his actions would be perceived.
The Conservative Party has labeled the situation a personal matter and refrained from further comment. Opposition parties have criticized the handling of the situation, with Labour and the Liberal Democrats calling for Williams’ suspension.
The Gambling Commission has stated that using confidential information for betting may constitute an offence under the Gambling Act.
Williams, a Tory candidate in Montgomeryshire & Glyndwr, confirmed he placed a £100 bet on an election occurring in July just days before Sunak named 4 July as the election date.
The bet, if successful, could have resulted in a £500 payout. Williams has stated he will fully cooperate with the probe and regrets not considering how his actions would be perceived.
The Conservative Party has labeled the situation a personal matter and refrained from further comment. Opposition parties have criticized the handling of the situation, with Labour and the Liberal Democrats calling for Williams’ suspension.
The Gambling Commission has stated that using confidential information for betting may constitute an offence under the Gambling Act.