Sign up to our Westminster Viewpoint emails to get expert analysis delivered straight to your inbox.
Get a free email of The View from Westminster
The Conservative party’s data chief has become the fourth person in the party to be investigated over allegations of gambling on the general election date, the PA news agency reported.
Nick Mason has reportedly been placed on administrative leave after becoming the latest Conservative member to be investigated by the Gambling Commission for allegedly betting on the timing of the election before the date was announced.
The latest allegations are: The Sunday Times, The paper alleged that dozens of bets had been made, with thousands of pounds worth of winnings in the hopes of being won. A spokesman for the official told the paper he denied any wrongdoing.
Three other senior Conservative leaders have also been implicated in the scandal and the revelations are a new blow to Rishi Sunak’s hopes of getting the Conservative campaign back on track.
They are Craig Williams, Mr Sunak’s private parliamentary secretary for Montgomeryshire, Laura Sanders, who stands for Bristol North West, and her husband Tony Lee, the party’s campaign manager.
Before this latest revelation, Michael Gove suggested the scandal was proving to be as damaging as Partygate, adding: “It seems to be one rule, for them and for us”.
Farage steps up rhetoric on Ukraine invasion, accused of ‘playing to Putin’s game’
Tom WatlingJune 23, 2024 03:00
Huge election disappointment: The true extent to which Millennials and Gen Z aren’t voting
Tom WatlingJune 23, 2024 02:00
There is a crisis in local government, but you won’t hear about it in this election.
Tom WatlingJune 23, 2024 01:00
Shadow health secretary says pre-election doctors’ strike will ‘achieve nothing’
Wes Streeting says pre-election doctors strike ‘will accomplish nothing’
Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting has strengthened his opinion that doctors’ strikes should not happen, claiming that it would “achieve nothing”. Appearing on Sky News (16 June) to discuss the party’s election plans, the Labour MP told Trevor Phillips that he would crack down hard if there was a possibility of a strike. “This government is incapable of resolving disputes in time for polling day,” he said. “I don’t think a strike during an election campaign would achieve anything.”
Tom WatlingJune 23, 2024 00:00
Conservative Party data chief under investigation over election day betting allegations
Tom WatlingJune 22, 2024 23:48
Liberal Democrats call for Sunak to intervene in gambling scandal
The Liberal Democrats say Rishi Sunak needs to personally intervene in a “full-scale scandal” in which Conservative candidates and associates are being investigated for betting on the election date before it was publicly known.
Daisy Cooper, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: “This is a full-blown scandal that now goes to the heart of Rishi Sunak’s Conservative party.”
“Mr Sunak must step in himself, order a Cabinet Office investigation and suspend everyone under investigation by the Gambling Commission.”
“The public is sick and tired of this despicable behaviour. With each passing day, with each hour, this Conservative government is slipping into more despicable behaviour.”
“From the mini-budget to the NHS crisis, the Conservatives have bet against Britain. Now people are voting for the Lib Dems to deliver the change this country desperately needs.”
Tom WatlingJune 22, 2024 23:46
Senior Conservative leader put on leave after being accused of gambling on general election date
The Conservative party’s data chief has become the fourth person to be investigated over allegations of betting on the date of the general election, with senior Conservative leaders saying the fallout from the scandal could be as bad as Covid Partygate.
Nick Mason has been forced to take leave after becoming the latest Conservative member to be investigated by the Gambling Commission for allegedly betting on the timing of the election before the date was announced.
Tom WatlingJune 22, 2024 23:09
Priti Patel accuses Labour of trying to mislead voters
Priti Patel said the Conservative party must “always promote low tax”.
The former Home Secretary said the Conservative party must always promote an environment in which “the country’s entrepreneurs and wealth creators” can thrive.
She insisted voters “should not be fooled” by promises from Chancellor Sir Keir Starmer and Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves to prioritise “wealth creation”.
“This is just a whitewash and smokescreen to hide a plan to tax businesses, markets and investment to pay for failed policies,” she said.
Tom WatlingJune 22, 2024 23:00
Rachel Reeves says Labour’s VAT on private school fees won’t be introduced until 2025
Sir Keir Starmer’s party believes it could raise around £1.6bn a year by scrapping the 20% VAT exemption as part of plans to recruit around 6,500 specialist teachers to state schools in England.
Matt MathersJune 22, 2024 22:00
Windrush campaigners demand citizenship for all families within 100 days of new government
Activists are demanding that the Home Office grant citizenship to all families affected by the Windrush scandal within 100 days of the new government taking office.
Ahead of Windrush Day celebrations on Saturday, a coalition of anti-racism charities and organisations has published a “Home Office Scandal Declaration”, outlining their main demands for new ministers following the July 4 general election.
Matt MathersJune 22, 2024 21:00
