A senior official within the Conservative Party has become the latest figure to come under scrutiny in a growing investigation by the Gambling Commission, following allegations of betting on the timing of the upcoming election before it was officially announced.
Nick Mason, who serves as the Tories’ chief data officer, has been notified by the Gambling Commission that he is part of their inquiry into bets placed on the election date, as reported by the Sunday Times. In response to the investigation, the Conservative Party has confirmed that Mason has taken a leave of absence from his duties.
Mason’s involvement marks the fourth confirmed Tory official embroiled in this controversy, which has increasingly overshadowed the party’s election campaign efforts. The scandal has already prompted at least two other party officials, including Tony Lee, the Conservative party’s campaigns director, to take unscheduled leaves of absence as they also face scrutiny over similar allegations.
The initial revelations of this betting scandal emerged when Craig Williams, a close aide to Rishi Sunak, was revealed to be under investigation by the Gambling Commission for placing bets on the election date just days before it was formally announced. The commission is also examining bets allegedly made by Tony Lee and Laura Saunders, the Tory candidate in Bristol North West.
In response to queries regarding the investigation, a spokesperson for the Conservative Party stated: “As instructed by the Gambling Commission, we are not permitted to discuss any matters related to any investigation with the subject or any other persons.”
James Cleverly, the home secretary, addressed the issue on Sunday, emphasizing that the behavior in question was deemed inappropriate and involved only a small number of individuals. He further clarified that he had no reason to believe any cabinet ministers were involved in similar activities.
The Gambling Commission, responsible for overseeing gambling activities in the UK, has refrained from disclosing specific details about ongoing investigations, including the identities of individuals involved.
The controversy has sparked criticism from opposition leaders, with Labour Party leader Keir Starmer asserting that similar conduct within his party would result in immediate repercussions. Former levelling up secretary Michael Gove also expressed concerns, highlighting potential damage to the party’s reputation amidst allegations of misconduct.
The investigation continues, with the Gambling Commission expected to provide further updates as it progresses with its inquiries into the alleged betting activities surrounding the election date.
