A Conservative candidate is being investigated by the Gambling Commission over a bet relating to the timing of the snap election announcement. Laura Saunders has also sparked controversy after it emerged she is also married to the party’s director of campaigning Tony Lee.
The candidate for Bristol North West is the second Tory member to face gambling allegations after Craig Williams apologised over betting on the date of the general election.
It comes as a police officer in Rishi Sunak’s close protection team was arrested and suspended over alleged bets about the timing of the general election.
The prime minister is facing calls to suspend the Ms Saunders from the Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper who labelled the situation an “utter disgrace”.
With just two weeks to go before the general election, the Blue Wall could be shaking as safe seats like Jeremy Hunt’s constituency in South West Surrey is set to fall, a mega-poll predicts.
But Michael Gove is convinced the party can still “defy the polls” and turn the result around and has vowed the Tories will fight as “we’re not in ‘Fergie time’ yet”.
