Introduction
In a deepening scandal, the Metropolitan Police are set to investigate “misconduct in public office” related to election betting. This follows revelations of politicians and aides engaging in questionable betting practices. The complexity of the case has necessitated the involvement of Scotland Yard.
The Scale of the Investigation
The Metropolitan Police’s involvement highlights the widening scope of the investigation. Initially handled by the Gambling Commission, the investigation into election betting by politicians and their aides has grown in scale. This has led to the decision to have the Met take over key aspects.
Key Figures and Allegations
Among those under scrutiny is Sir Philip Davies, a prominent Tory. He is accused of placing an £8,000 bet on losing his Shipley constituency seat, where he holds a 6,242 majority. While Sir Philip acknowledges the bet, he insists he has done nothing illegal, stating it is “nobody’s business.”
Police and Candidates Under Investigation
The scandal extends beyond politicians to include six police officers and numerous election candidates. These individuals are being investigated for bets placed on an early election date, raising allegations of insider trading. A Labour candidate, Kevin Craig, has already been suspended for betting against his own victory.
Metropolitan Police’s Role
The Gambling Commission has requested data from bookies on hundreds of bets placed around the election period. Given the scale of the issue, Scotland Yard will now lead the investigation into whether any offences extend beyond the Gambling Act to include misconduct in public office.
A Scotland Yard spokesperson commented, “Met detectives will lead on investigating a small number of cases to assess whether the alleged offending goes beyond Gambling Act offences.”
Sir Philip Davies’ Response
When questioned by The Sun, Sir Philip remained defiant. He admitted to betting on himself to lose but reiterated that he had not broken any laws. He remarked, “It’s nobody’s business apart from mine,” and challenged anyone to prove otherwise.
Conclusion
The involvement of the Metropolitan Police underscores the seriousness of the election betting scandal. With high-profile politicians and police officers under investigation, the probe’s findings could have significant repercussions.
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Original Link: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/28772956/cops-take-over-betting-scandal-probe/
