Fifteen individuals, including former Conservative MP Craig Williams, have been charged with betting-related offenses by the Gambling Commission. The investigation, which began last year, focused on bets placed regarding the timing of the 2024 general election. The commission stated that the investigation targeted individuals suspected of using confidential information—specifically advance knowledge of the proposed election date—to gain an unfair advantage in betting markets.

Before the election was called, Williams represented Montgomeryshire and served as an aide to then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Among those charged is Russell George, a Member of the Senedd, who has since been suspended from the Welsh Conservative group. Other individuals charged include Laura Saunders, a former Conservative parliamentary candidate for Bristol North West, and her partner, Anthony Lee, who previously worked as a director of campaigning for the Conservative Party.

In response to the charges, a Conservative spokesman stated that the party expects political figures to act with integrity and that staff members charged would be immediately suspended. The party also emphasized that they are cooperating fully with the Gambling Commission to ensure a swift and transparent investigation. Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar described the suspension of George as a neutral action pending the outcome of the legal process. Bernard Gentry, chairman of the Welsh Conservatives, expressed disappointment but urged waiting for the court's verdict before passing judgment.

Other individuals charged include several former and current Conservative Party officials, such as Thomas James, Nick Mason, Simon Chatfield, Anthony Hind, Iain Makepeace, and others, along with private individuals like Jeremy Hunt, a former police officer, and several London residents. Following the charges, a spokesperson for the Met Police confirmed that Hunt had been part of the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command at the time of the alleged offense but added that no further action would be taken against nine other officers.

The charges are under section 42 of the Gambling Act, with the individuals due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on 13 June. Those convicted could face fines or up to two years in prison. Labour Party chairwoman Ellie Reeves condemned the charges, calling them serious and stressing that those found guilty should face full legal consequences. She urged Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch to ensure that anyone guilty of using insider information to manipulate the system would have no place in the party.

Rishi Sunak had announced the general election would be held on 4 July 2024, a decision that surprised many, as it had been expected to take place in the autumn. Reports surfaced in early June 2024 that Williams had placed a bet on the election date. When asked about it, Williams admitted making a significant error in judgment but declined to comment on whether he knew the election date when placing the bet, citing the ongoing investigation.

Following the launch of the investigation, the Conservative Party withdrew its support for Williams and Saunders. Lee and Mason also took leaves of absence from their party roles, with Mason, a current councillor in Herefordshire, being suspended from the Conservative group and now sitting as an independent.