London’s Metropolitan Police Force has ended its investigation into a dozen or more British politicians who placed bets on the country’s May general election.
The police said they did not find enough evidence to charge anyone with the criminal offense of misconduct in a public office over the incidents.
Several top Conservative Members of Parliament (MPs) were found to have bet amounts ranging from £10 to thousands of pounds on various election wagers. Some were allegedly connected to the surprise announcement from former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of a May election, when most commentators previously thought a September election was more likely.
The police have dropped the more serious charges of misconduct. But an investigation from the country’s Gambling Commission is still ongoing, for which politicians could be criminally charged under the Gambling Act.
“Based on the assessment of the evidence and the advice from the CPS, it was determined that the high bar for Misconduct in Public Office to be proven was not met,” police said in a statement.
“It has therefore been agreed between the Met and the Gambling Commission that the more appropriate criminal offenses to progress with would be those under the Gambling Act.”
Seven police officers, including one who served on Sunak’s personal prime ministerial security detail, are still under police investigation.
The Alleged Betting
Under UK law, it is entirely legal for politicians, or anyone else, to place bets on the election. However, it’s usually not good optics for MPs or hopeful MPs.
In fact, in the wake of the scandal, new Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the Labour Party said he would suspend any MP of his party who was found to have bet on the election, regardless of legality.
A number of Conservative MPs were caught up in the scandal, including several who bet on themselves to lose their seats. The Conservatives did end up losing their previous national majority in a landslide victory for the Labour Party.
Only those who are alleged to have used insider information from Sunak’s team to bet on the date of the election faced criminal investigations. Even though the police have dropped the more serious charges, they may still be charged with a crime.
The Gambling Commission
Under UK law, breaches of the Gambling Act can still result in a prison sentence of up to two years. Misconduct in a public office, depending on the seriousness, has a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The Commission has yet to comment on how many people are under its own investigation.
“These allegations caused a significant dent in public confidence during the election campaign, and it was right that they were investigated to explore all possible offenses,” said Detective Superintendent Katherine Goodwin in the police statement.
“While our involvement in the criminal investigation now ceases, it’s important that it is not misinterpreted as an all-clear for those whose cases were looked at.”
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