Election latest: Tory candidate facing Gambling Commission investigation is married to party's director of campaigning (2024)

We've had an update from the Gambling Commission on what is happening with the Conservative Party.

The watchdog's statement does not go into massive detail - but it does tell us it is looking into allegations around a bet on the date of the election.

Rishi Sunak's decision to call a 4 July vote shocked many.

A spokesperson said: "The Gambling Commission regulates gambling in the interests of consumers and the wider public.

"Currently the commission is investigating the possibility of offences concerning the date of the election.

"This is an ongoing investigation, and the commission cannot provide any further details at this time."

Jeremy Hunt, the chancellor, has been speaking at an event with The Times this morning.

He is facing a tough campaign in his seat in Surrey.

Asked about his party's prospects, Mr Hunt says: "We are the underdogs - no question about it."

He adds that the government winning the election is "going to be very difficult" - and that "I don't think any of us pretend that's the most likely outcome".

But he believes his party still has a chance - and that people on the doorstep are still making up their minds.

Labour's Matthew Pennycook, the shadow housing minister, is speaking to Sky News on behalf of the party this morning.

Kay Burley asks him about the fact multiple Conservative candidates are facing potential Gambling Commission investigations over their conduct.

This includes the recent news that one of the candidates is married to the party's director of campaigning.

Mr Pennycook says: "I think it does seriously chip away at trust and confidence, in the government and in politics more widely.

"And we've had too much of that over the last 14 years.

"I sort of hesitate slightly, but this appears with each one of these new allegations to be looking like a pattern of cronyism, if you like, with people benefiting directly, potentially, from information that may have been passed on."

Mr Pennycook repeats the "pattern of cronyism" line again later in the interview.

He says he would be "angry" - and that "disappointment" is quite a strong enough word - to describe how he would feel if someone he knew placed a bet using private information.

We reported earlier that Laura Saunders, the Conservative candidate for Bristol North West, is facing an investigation by the Gambling Commission.

We've now got a bit more information.

It transpires that Ms Saunders is married to the Conservative Party's director of campaigning, Tony Lee.

Sky News has contacted Ms Saunders and the Conservatives for comment.

The party earlier confirmed it had been contacted by the Gambling Commission "about a small number of individuals".

Cabinet minister Michael Gove told Sky News: "I know that there are two people who are now subject to this process, I think, from the Gambling Commission."

The minister - who is not standing for reelection - says it is "deeply disturbing" that people may have been betting on the date of the election.

But, he says it is the "exception rather than the rule".

It comes after it emerged that a close protection officer for Rishi Sunak has been arrested and suspended over alleged bets about the timing of the election.

The PM's parliamentary aide, Craig Williams, is also facing an investigation after he bet on a July election date.

Sky News' deputy political editor Sam Coates and Politico's Jack Blanchard with their guide to the election day ahead.

This is day 29 of the campaign. Jack and Sam discuss all four main leaders facing an audience on primetime TV, who is missing from the Tories' party donors event, Bank of England interest rates and who the newspapers are going to endorse for No 10.

👉 Tap here to follow Politics at Jack and Sam's wherever you get your podcasts 👈

Email Jack and Sam: jackandsam@sky.uk

We reported earlier that the Conservative Party has been contacted by the Gambling Commission over "a small number" of individuals.

This follows reports thatCraig Williams, an aide of the prime minister, was facing a probe over allegedly gambling on the date of the election.

Sky News understands a second person - Laura Saunders, the Tory candidate for Bristol North West - is also one of those the watchdog is considering.

Speaking to Sky News this morning, Housing Secretary Michael Gove said he was aware of two people facing investigations.

This follows separate news yesterday that one of Mr Sunak's close protection officers was arrested and suspended over alleged bets on the election date.

Sky News has approached Ms Saunders for comment.

Also standing in Bristol North West:

• Caroline Gooch, Liberal Democrats;

• Darren Jones, Labour;

• Scarlett O'Connor, Reform UK;

• Mary Page, Green;

• Laura Saunders, Conservative;

• Ben Smith, SDP.

By Jason Farrell, home editor

Even the world of escapism can't escape politics.

Decisions made on the green benches of parliament could be life or death for the circus. Like many businesses, it is walking the wire between rising costs and cash-strapped audiences.

As part of our Bench Across Britain series we visited a circus tent in south Leicestershire where punters try to forget the world for an hour or so - only to be confronted by Sky News, asking them about the general election.

First, we spoke to the performers: high wire walker Ksenia Archer literally dropped in on our bench while still attached to her safety harness.

"Our costs have gone up miles high," she said.

"Unfortunately, our customers' costs have gone up as well. We've not been able to increase ticket prices - they have had to go down, to ensure we get any customers at all."

She added: "The circus was invented in England - it's over 250 years old. But unless we get support we will be slowly dying out."

Read Jason's full story below:

Michael Gove, who is speaking to Sky News, is asked about the series of polls yesterday that all forecast a Tory wipe-out.

Mr Gove says they do not make "cheery reading" for his party - but insists the Tories can turn it around.

"The opinion polls, as I acknowledged and as we both know, they're not great," he says.

"But it's not the 90th minute, you know, we're not in Fergie time yet.

"So there is still an opportunity."

Asked about reports Boris Johnson might make a return to try and be Conservative Party leader at the 2029 election, Mr Gove says this is "so far in the future" and he wants "Rishi Sunak to be prime minister".

Michael Gove is speaking to Sky News this morning.

The housing secretary is asked about the potential Gambling Commission investigations into Conservative Party candidates.

Mr Gove says: "I know that there are two people who are now subject to this process, I think, from the Gambling Commission."

He adds that a police officer is being subject to a "sort of parallel process".

The minister - who is not standing for reelection - says it is "deeply disturbing" that people may have been betting on the date of an election being called.

But, he say,s it is the "exception rather than the rule".

Mr Gove, however, says he does not want to pre-empt the process by giving a running commentary on it.

We've just been given the date for when Boris Johnson's memoirs from his time in Downing Street will be released.

William Collins Books, part of HarperCollins, says the book will be coming out on 10 October this year.