Met Police denies being source of election bet leaks

Allegations first emerged earlier this month against Craig Williams – one of the prime minister’s closest aides – who reportedly placed a £100 bet on a July polling day three days before the date was named.

Mr Williams, who is standing for the Conservatives in Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, told the BBC he had made a “huge error of judgement” but refused to say if he had placed a bet on the basis of inside information.

If someone uses confidential information to gain an unfair advantage when betting, this could be a criminal offence under section 42 of the Gambling Act.

Laura Saunders, the Conservative candidate for Bristol North West, and her partner Tony Lee, the Conservative director of campaigning, are also under investigation, as is Nick Mason, the party’s chief data officer.

Mr Mason’s spokesperson said he denied wrongdoing. Both Mr Mason and Mr Lee have taken leaves of absence from their party roles.

The BBC understands other people linked to the Conservative Party and the government are also being looked into by the Gambling Commission.