Britain’s election betting scandal got even bigger on Tuesday night as a Labour candidate admitted he had put a wager on himself losing the election. Kevin Craig, the Labour candidate for the Central Suffolk and North Ipswich seat, has been suspended by the opposition party. The suspension comes as Britain’s Gambling Commission continues to probe a multitude of alleged bets placed in the run-up to the July 4 general election.
Craig’s suspension marks the first Labour involvement in a story that has so far primarily engulfed the Conservative Party and made Britain’s election campaign quite intense. In a statement Tuesday night, Craig admitted he had bet against himself but insisted it was for charity. He apologized to his party, which dropped him following notification of a Gambling Commission investigation, as reported by Politico.
“Throughout my life I have enjoyed the odd bet for fun whether on politics or horses,” Craig said. “A few weeks ago when I thought I would never win this seat I put a bet on the Tories to win here with the intention of giving any winnings to local charities,” he added. “While I did not place this bet with any prior knowledge of the outcome, this was a huge mistake, for which I apologise unreservedly.”
Craig expressed deep regret for his actions, acknowledging the seriousness of his error in judgment. “I deeply regret what I have done and will take the consequences of this stupid error of judgment on the chin,” he stated.
A Labour Party spokesperson said, “With Keir Starmer as leader, the Labour Party upholds the highest standards for our parliamentary candidates, as the public rightly expects from any party hoping to serve, which is why we have acted immediately in this case.”
A Tory Problem Until Now
Craig’s suspension comes on the heels of several negative headlines for the Conservative Party over gambling issues, which Labour has been keen to exploit. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is under mounting pressure, having dropped support for two Conservative candidates being probed by the Commission over alleged insider bets placed on the timing of the election.
In the United Kingdom system, the timing of a snap election is decided by the prime minister, and advance knowledge is typically kept within a tight circle. Other Tory figures and police officers are also under investigation by the watchdog.
A YouGov poll released Tuesday found that only 16 percent of respondents believe Sunak has handled the scandal well, while 60 percent think he has handled it poorly. Labour has urged Sunak to “come clean” and disclose the extent of Tory involvement in the scandal.
Crisis Deepens
The controversy deepened on Wednesday as Scotland Secretary Alister Jack admitted to placing bets on the date of the general election. Jack denied breaking any rules but acknowledged placing three wagers on the timing of the July 4 poll. He claimed to have no advance knowledge of the election date until it was announced on May 22. Jack stated, according to The Independent: “Following reports today I want to be absolutely clear I have not breached any gambling rules.”
Jack’s admission adds to the tally of seven politicians and officials drawn into the controversy. The SNP and Liberal Democrats have called for full disclosure from involved parties, highlighting the scandal’s impact on public trust in the political system.
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