London’s Metropolitan Police announced on Thursday that it is investigating “a small number of bets” placed on the timing of next week’s national election.
Among those involved are at least seven police officers from the force.
Detective Superintendent Katherine Goodwin stated, “We have agreed a joint approach with the Gambling Commission, who are the appropriate authority to investigate the majority of these allegations.”
She added, “There will, however, be a small number of cases where a broader criminal investigation by the police is required.”
The police highlighted that these cases not only breach gambling regulations but could also involve more severe offenses, such as Misconduct in a Public Office.
The Met has been comparing the names of those who placed bets on the election’s timing with its list of officers and has identified seven officers so far.
One of the identified officers, a member of the special protection unit reportedly assigned to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s security detail, has been arrested.
Earlier in the week, both Prime Minister Sunak’s Conservative Party and the opposition Labour Party withdrew support for candidates under investigation for bets related to the July 4 election. Additionally, two senior Conservative Party officials are being scrutinized.
Andrew Rhodes, Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “We are focused on an investigation into confidential information being used to gain an unfair advantage when betting on the date of the General Election.”
He also noted, “Our enforcement team has made rapid progress so far and will continue to work closely with the Metropolitan Police to draw this case to a just conclusion.”
The collaboration between the Met Police and the Gambling Commission aims to ensure the integrity of the election process and address any unlawful activities surrounding it.
The investigation underscores the importance of maintaining public trust in both the electoral system and the police force.