Gambling Commission Charges 15 People Over General Election Bets – Guido Fawkes

Gambling Commission Charges 15 People Over General Election Bets

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The Gambling Commission has charged 15 people with offences under the Gambling Act 2005 following an investigation into alleged cheating related to bets placed on the timing of the 2024 General Election. Those charged are:

• Simon Chatfield, 51, of Lower Bourne, Farnham (Conservatives’ chief marketing officer)
• Russell George, 50, of Newtown, Wales (Tory member of the Senedd)
• Amy Hind, 34, of Loughton, Essex
• Anthony Hind, 36, of Loughton, Essex
• Jeremy Hunt, 55, of Horne, Horley (former police officer)
• Thomas James, 38, of Brecon, Wales (Tory Director of the Party in Wales)
• Charlotte Lang, 36, of Brixton, London
• Anthony Lee, 47, of Bristol (ex-CCHQ campaigning boss)
• Iain Makepeace, 47, of Newcastle Upon Tyne
• Nick Mason, 51, of Milton on Stour, Gillingham
• Paul Place, 53, of Hammersmith, London
• Laura Saunders, 37, of Bristol (Mr Lee’s wife)
• James Ward, 40, of London
• Craig Williams, 39, of Llanfair Caereinion, Welshpool (former Tory MP)
• Jacob Willmer, 39, of Richmond, London

They are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday 13 June…

UPDATE: The Tories have suspended member of the Welsh Parliament Russell George. Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Darren Millar: “Having been informed that Russell George MS has been charged with gambling related offences, I have taken the decision to suspend him from the Welsh Conservative Group in the Senedd. The suspension is a neutral act pending the outcome of the justice process.”

UPDATE II: CCHQ have suspended staff who have been charged. A Tory party spokesman says: “The Conservative Party believes that those working in politics must act with integrity. Current members of staff who have been charged are being suspended with immediate effect. These incidents took place in May last year. Our Party is now under new leadership and we are cooperating fully with the Gambling Commission to ensure that their investigation can conclude swiftly and transparently.” So looks like Thomas James and Simon Chatfield are gone then…