British Prime Minister Sunak's protection agent arrested for alleged betting on election timing

June 19 (UPI) — A security guard for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been arrested for allegedly betting on the timing of Britain's general election.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed on Wednesday that it had suspended and arrested a police officer from its Royal and Special Protection Command on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

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The arrest came during a Gambling Commission investigation into alleged betting “linked to the general election schedule”, according to the BBC, which first reported the story on Wednesday. The betting watchdog had contacted the Metropolitan Police about the officer last week.

The officer was arrested Monday “on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was taken into custody and released on bail pending further investigation,” according to a statement of the Metropolitan Police.

“The Gambling Commission continues to investigate the alleged betting offenses and our investigation is running parallel to this,” the department added.

The arrest comes after a senior Sunak aide admitted last week that he was also under investigation by the Gambling Commission. Conservative candidate Craig Williams, Sunak's parliamentary private secretary, is accused of betting on the July election.

The Prime Minister recently announced that the British general election, to elect members of Parliament to the House of Commons, would take place on July 4.

“Rishi Sunak must launch a Cabinet Office investigation into what promises to be yet another scandal at the heart of government,” Liberal Democrats deputy leader Daisy Cooper said.

“It still smacks of sordidness and answers are needed,” she added. “An investigation is needed to understand who knew what and when.”