Sunak refuses to say whether he told gambling row aide the election date

News | Politics I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice . Prime Minister Rishi Sunak repeatedly refused to say whether he told his parliamentary aide about the date of the election, as the Metropolitan Police said they were investigating a “small number” of bets on the July 4 poll.

Police are examining whether offences beyond cheating using inside information had been committed, while the Gambling Commission said it was making “rapid progress” in its parallel investigation. So far five Conservatives are known to have been caught up in the Gambling Commission inquiry, including Mr Sunak’s former parliamentary aide, Craig Williams. The Prime Minister has withdrawn Tory support for Mr Williams in his bid to be returned as MP for the Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr seat, after he admitted having a “flutter” on the election date.



I’ve been clear about this. I’m furious to have learnt about these allegations Prime Minister Rishi Sunak During a campaign visit in Derbyshire, Mr Sunak was repeatedly asked whether he had confided in Mr Williams ahead of his surprise announcement of a summer election. Speaking to broadcasters, the Prime Minister said: “I’ve been clear about this.

I’m furious to have learnt about these allegations. “We’ve initiated independent inquiries of our own, because I don’t have access to the Gambling Commission’s detail. “You’ll recognise that while there are ongoing.