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Tuesday
08  October

General Election ‘inside betting’ probe ongoing

 
09/09/2024 @ 10:14

 

The Gambling Commission confirmed last night that it is still investigating possible ‘insider betting’ which rocked Montgomeryshire politics this summer.

Last month, the Metropolitan Police said they were dropping their criminal probe, but the Gambling Commission, who launched the enquiry just weeks before the July 4 General Election, said they were “continuing to interview a number of witnesses”.

Former Montgomeryshire MP Craig Williams and current Montgomeryshire Senedd Member Russell George have both confirmed that they are part of the investigation, which is looking into bets placed in the days before a July 4 election date was announced.

The scandal cost Mr Williams his place in the Conservative party and he went on to lose his seat as an independent to Labour’s Steve Witherden.

In a statement given to MyTown Media, Andrew Rhodes, Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission, said: “We have remained focused on our criminal investigation into confidential information being used to gain an unfair advantage when betting on the date of the General Election.

“Our investigation continues to progress and we have interviewed several suspects under caution. We are continuing to interview a number of witnesses, who are co-operating with this criminal investigation, as well as gathering further documentary and electronic evidence.

“We clearly appreciate the level of public interest there is in this investigation but in order 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, or the total number of suspects.”

Both Mr Williams and Mr George have confirmed previously that they are co-operating with the investigation and won’t be commenting further.