look news india
LONDON: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is facing a betting scandal involving senior Conservative Party officials ahead of the announcement of the general election date. The controversy took place earlier this month and is the subject of multiple investigations by the UK Gambling Commission. Sunak expressed his outrage over the matter and stressed the seriousness of the potential criminal conduct.
The leader caught in the latest betting scandal is Conservative Party chief data officer Nick Mason, who is currently on leave and has denied involvement in any criminal activity. Earlier in a similar scandal, other top officials and leaders, including Sunak's campaign director Tony Lee and Tory MP candidate Craig Williams, as well as Sunak's close security officer, were implicated and some were arrested.
Although betting is legal in the UK, it is illegal to obtain insider information and use it for such betting. Sunak has assured that strict action will be taken against party members found involved in betting and they will be expelled from the party. Many senior party leaders, including Michael Gove, have criticized the incident and warned that the double standard approach could harm the party.
The Gambling Commission confirmed that the matter was being investigated but did not provide other details such as the names of the politicians and officials involved. Opposition parties have taken the opportunity to criticise Sunak's leadership, with the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats demanding immediate action and the ouster of politicians involved in the scandal.
The new betting scandal has increased the pressure on Sunak, whose Conservative Party is already trailing Labour in pre-election surveys. It is worth noting that the date of 4 July, which was previously a closely guarded secret, has now become the focus of this unfolding controversy.