Great Britain: Betting scandal causes problems for Prime Minister Sunak

Campaign manager on leave
Shortly before the elections: betting scandal causes problems for the British Prime Minister


The headlines could soon make Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stop laughing

© Darren Staples / PA Photos / Action Press

Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is facing further negative headlines two weeks before the upcoming general election. The Gambling Commission is investigating whether illegal bets were placed on the election date. The campaign manager of Sunak’s Conservative Party has taken a leave of absence for the time being, the British news agency PA reported on Thursday. British media had previously reported that his wife may have placed a bet.

A week ago it was already revealed that a close associate of Sunak had bet on a date in July. A police officer who works for Sunak’s personal security is also suspected and was temporarily arrested.

Elections will take place in Great Britain in July

The election date is set much more quickly in Great Britain than in Germany, for example. The date had long been the subject of speculation. Sunak surprisingly announced in May that a new parliament would be elected on July 4. For a long time, an autumn date was considered likely. A spokesman for the Gambling Commission stressed last week that betting using insider information was a criminal offense.

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“We have been contacted by the Gambling Commission about a small number of people,” a spokesman for the Conservative Party said, according to PA. As it is an independent authority, it is not appropriate to comment further until the process is complete. Opposition leader Keir Starmer, whose Labour Party is leading in the polls, demanded clarification. “It is astonishing that we find ourselves in this situation,” said Starmer. Sunak must account for who exactly knew what.

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