Police officer from Sunak's close protection team arrested for alleged betting on general election date

A police officer from Rishi Sunak's close protection team has been arrested and suspended for allegedly betting on the timing of the general election.

The Met's Royalty and Specialist Protection Command police officer was arrested on June 17 on suspicion of misconduct in public office after the Gambling Commission contacted the force last Friday.

The officer was taken into custody and released on bail pending further investigation, with the matter being referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, according to the Met.

A Scotland Yard spokesperson said The independent: “We can confirm that on Friday June 14, the Met was contacted by the Gambling Commission who informed us that they were investigating alleged bets made by a police officer from the Met's Royalty and Specialist Protection Command, who were linked to the time of the event. the general elections.

“The matter was immediately referred to officers from the Met’s Professional Standards Directorate, who began an investigation, and the officer was also removed from operational duties.

“The police officer was subsequently arrested on Monday June 17 on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was taken into custody and released on bail pending further investigation. The matter has also been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

“The Gambling Commission continues to investigate the alleged betting offenses and our investigation is ongoing.”

In another case, a senior aide to Mr Sunak admitted the Gambling Commission was investigating after he allegedly bet on the date of the general election.

Conservative candidate Craig Williams, who was parliamentary private secretary to the Prime Minister in the last parliament, said he would co-operate with the investigation.

Mr Williams – who is standing in elections in Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr – bet £100 on a July election just three days before Mr Sunak set the July 4 date, according to The Guardian.

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