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The Conservative party have withdrawn support from two candidates who are under investigation for alleged betting on the date of the general election.<\/b><\/p>\n
Both Craig Williams, the candidate in Montgomeryshire and Glynd\u0175r, and Laura Saunders, the candidate in Bristol North West, are being looked into by the Gambling Commission.<\/p>\n
The pair will still appear on the ballot under Conservative party banners but this decision means they will become independent if elected, pending the result of an investigation.<\/p>\n
The Met Police says allegations about five further officers are being looked into by the Gambling Commission, following the arrest of one of the PM’s close protection officers.<\/p>\n
Mr Williams has previously apologised and said he made a “huge error of judgement”. <\/p>\n
When asked by the BBC, he refused to say whether he placed a bet on the basis of inside information.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for Ms Saunders said she would be co-operating with the Gambling Commission and had nothing further to add.<\/p>\n
A Conservative Party spokesman said: “As a result of ongoing internal enquiries, we have concluded that we can no longer support Craig Williams or Laura Saunders as parliamentary candidates at the forthcoming general election. <\/p>\n
“We have checked with the Gambling Commission that this decision does not compromise the investigation that they are conducting, which is rightly independent and ongoing.”<\/p>\n
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, commenting on the news that support had been withdrawn from the candidates, said: \u201cWhy didn\u2019t that happen a week ago?\u201d<\/p>\n
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: “This should have happened immediately when these scandalous revelations emerged, but instead Rishi Sunak has dithered and delayed.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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