[Malcolm Armsteen]

The latest in the Tory campaign omnishambles:

Gambling Commission refers five further rozzers to the Met/CPS for betting irregularities.

Someone at No10 has got a big gob...

[Malcolm Armsteen]

More inept briefing:

Met senior officers are understood to be furious about what they regard as a smear to try to deflect attention away from the Conservatives’ troubles. A Met spokesperson said: “The allegations that the Met has leaked information are simply untrue.”

Another source added: “This is a poor distraction technique.”

[Malcolm Armsteen]

24th June 8am: Jimmy Dimly on the morning round defends the decision not to suspend Craig Williams and Laura Saunders, on the grounds it would hamper the Gambling Commission's investigation.

24th June 9:30 am : Williams and Saunders suspended, Gambling Commission says 'no problem'.

Laft hand, right hand?

[Andy McDandy]

Michael Gove has got a big gob...

FTFY.

[Watchman]

So Richie Rich tells his protection unit before the cabinet?

[Watchman]

So Richie Rich tells his protection unit before the cabinet?

The thought just occurs:
"Thanks for turning a blind eye to a few after work drinks, you and Ladbrokes may be interested in 4th July, get the wife something nice"

[Andy McDandy]

When he calls the CPOs, they have to reply. He thinks they're his friends.

[Killer Whale]

Williams still acting like he didn't know, like it was an honest punt, albeit ill-judged. So we're expected to believe that the police knew but the PPS didn't.

[Watchman]

Nicked from elsewhere;

Tomorrow morning on the steps of No.10:
"Good morning constable"
"Fuck off Sunak, you grass."

[Malcolm Armsteen]

Now Labour is getting in on the act.

Labour to return suspended candidate's donations
Labour will return the £100,000 Kevin Craig has donated to the party under Keir Starmer's leadership, Sky News understands.
It comes after he was suspended as the party's candidate for the constituency of Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, having been placed under investigation by the Gambling Commission.
Sky News understands Mr Craig placed a bet that he would lose the contest next Thursday

He bet tat he would lose...

[Abernathy]

Sounds as though Starmer has no choice but to suspend this guy given the circumstances. But betting on yourself to lose seems odd, to put it mildly. .

[Oboogie]

Sounds as though Starmer has no choice but to suspend this guy given the circumstances. But betting on yourself to lose seem odd, to put it mildly. .

Not sure if it's illegal to bet against yourself or not, but a candidate is in a position to influence the outcome of an election
in the same way a boxer can throw a fight.

[Bones McCoy]

Now Labour is getting in on the act.

Labour to return suspended candidate's donations
Labour will return the £100,000 Kevin Craig has donated to the party under Keir Starmer's leadership, Sky News understands.
It comes after he was suspended as the party's candidate for the constituency of Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, having been placed under investigation by the Gambling Commission.
Sky News understands Mr Craig placed a bet that he would lose the contest next Thursday

He bet tat he would lose...

BBC report seemed surprised he didn't bet on the election date.

A real "does the corespondent understand how elections work?" moment.

[Crabcakes]

Sounds as though Starmer has no choice but to suspend this guy given the circumstances. But betting on yourself to lose seems odd, to put it mildly. .

He also heads up a lobby firm behind the nationwide campaign ‘responsible gambling week’.

Just bewildering. What was he doing??!?

[Tubby Isaacs]

Might be nothing sinister, just thought “fuck it, I’ll at least win some money if I lose”

But right that he’s out on his ear.

[Crabcakes]

Sounds like an ill-advised fuck up that probably wouldn’t even have been noticed were it not for the Tories. But he probably realises in the circumstances he’s got to get the chop.

In a statement, Craig said: “Throughout my life I have enjoyed the odd bet for fun whether on politics or horses. 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.

“While I did not place this bet with any prior knowledge of the outcome, this was a huge mistake, for which I apologise unreservedly.

[soulboy]

Prime Minister says he is fummin' but does nothing. The story rumbles on.

Statesman acts decisively.

I don't subscribe to conspiracy theories so I will just say that Starmer is a jammy bugger who keeps getting handed opportunities to take the high moral ground.

[Bones McCoy]

So Richie Rich tells his protection unit before the cabinet?

If you want to know the time (of the election) ask a policeman.

[satnav]

Did he tell them directly or did they just get an email telling them that all leave was cancelled until the 5th of July?

[Killer Whale]

Sounds like an ill-advised fuck up that probably wouldn’t even have been noticed were it not for the Tories. But he probably realises in the circumstances he’s got to get the chop.

In a statement, Craig said: “Throughout my life I have enjoyed the odd bet for fun whether on politics or horses. 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.

“While I did not place this bet with any prior knowledge of the outcome, this was a huge mistake, for which I apologise unreservedly.

Candidates put money and effort into running, often taking unpaid time off work and spending their own cash on out of pocket expenses. If they win, then it's all good - they're in a well paid job for a few years at least. It kind of makes sense to me that they would hedge that with a few quid against themselves to provide compensation should they lose. I bet (ha!) there's a good few more of them at it - most of them Tories in the current climate, possibly.