If you thought the gambling scandal engulfing the upcoming UK general election couldn’t get any more sordid, you’d be wrong.
Now, it has emerged that ministers from both Labour and the Conservatives have wagered on the outcome of the vote within their own constituencies – and both have backed themselves to lose.
Kevin Craig, the Labour candidate for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, has admitted that he placed a bet on his Tory Party rival to win the seat.
Meanwhile, in Shipley in North Yorkshire, it has been alleged that the Conservative MP, Sir Phillip Davies, wagered as much as £8,000 on himself to lose his majority in the upcoming vote on July 4.
How to Win When You Lose
Craig was the subject of an investigation from the UK Gambling Commission, before admitting that he had placed the bet on himself to lose – revealing that any winnings would be given to charity.
The Central Suffolk and North Ipswich ward has long been a safe Conservative seat, so the bet he placed was perhaps a shrewd one.
However, Labour have since moved to suspend Craig from the party – although his name will appear on ballot cards given the proximity of the election in under a week’s time.
Craig, a PR and marketing professional by trade, also previously donated £100,000 to Labour – they have now vowed to return the money to him.
“A few weeks ago when I thought I would never win this seat I put a bet on the Tories to win here with the intention of giving any winnings to local charities,” he wrote in a lengthy apology on X.
“While I did not place this bet with any prior knowledge of the outcome, this was a huge mistake, for which I apologise unreservedly.
“I deeply regret what I have done and will take the consequences of this stupid error of judgement on the chin.”
Throughout my life I have enjoyed the odd bet for fun whether on politics or horses.
A few weeks ago when I thought I would never win this seat I put a bet on the Tories to win here with the intention of giving any winnings to local charities.
While I did not place this bet…
— Kevin Craig for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich (@KevinCraigUK) June 25, 2024
As for Davies, he has refused to confirm or deny his alleged wager.
When quizzed by The Sun, he was rather forthright in his reply.
“What’s it got to do with you whether I did or didn’t,” he told reporters.
“I hope to win. I’m busting a gut to win. I expect to lose.
“And if anyone’s alleging I have done anything illegal, they’re very welcome to allege it, but I’m afraid I haven’t.”
Perhaps he hasn’t, although there is a suggestion that he would be guilty of misconduct in public office – a charge that Davies would no doubt stoutly deny.
Remember, if a sportsman or woman bet on themselves to lose, they’d be banned from competing for life….
Down, Down, Deeper and Down
If you thought that the scandal had now run its course, the revelations keep on coming.
Another Conservative cabinet minister, Alister Jack, has confirmed that he placed three bets on the date of the General Election – however, they were each struck weeks in advance of Rishi Sunak’s announcement on May 22.
The Scottish Secretary placed a £20 wager back in April that the election would fall within the months of July-September – netting £100 in profit. Jack also placed losing bets in March on the vote taking place in either May or June.
He will not face questioning from the betting regulator as he has not broken any rules and was not party to inside information when placing the bets.
“I had no knowledge of the date of the election until the day it was called,” Jack said.
“I placed no bets in May and am not under investigation by the Gambling Commission.”
Meanwhile, Sunak’s chief aide – Liam Booth-Smith – has been called in for questioning. The Downing Street chief of staff will be quizzed about which ministers and Conservative Party support staff knew of the date of the General Election ahead of the public reveal.
And the Metropolitan Police, who have been embroiled in the scandal after some of their officers were said to have bet on the date of the election ahead of the May 22 reveal, will now take the lead in the investigations in which ministers are to be accused of committing a criminal offence – rather than a mere breach of the Gambling Act only.