Sir Oliver Dowden Questioned By UKGC
Sir Oliver Dowden, who used to be the UK’s deputy prime minister, has been questioned over this year’s political betting scandal.
Sir Oliver Dowden has been questioned over political betting. © PublicDomainPictures, Pixabay
Gambling Commission Questions Ex-Deputy PM Dowden Over Betting Scandal
Former deputy prime minister Sir Oliver Dowden has become the most senior government figure to be questioned about this year’s political betting scandal.
Sir Oliver, who was knighted this year, is not suspected of any wrongdoing but he was recently interviewed by the Gambling Commission, which continues to investigate the issue.
The Metropolitan Police recently confirmed that there will be no charges over the scandal, which surrounded bets that were placed on the date of the election before it was called.
Sir Oliver was one of the closest advisors to the former UK prime minister Rishi Sunak. After Labour won the election, he became Shadow Secretary of State for the Duchy of Lancaster.
The news of his interview with the Gambling Commission emerged on the first day of the Conservative Party’s annual conference, which is taking place in Birmingham.
What Rules Were Broken?
The PM’s parliamentary private secretary Craig Williams, who lost his seat as a Conservative MP at the election, was among those to have placed wagers on when the vote would be called.
In the UK, political betting is not illegal. Most online bookmakers offer odds on election results from around the world, with a variety of markets available to choose from.
Earlier this year, it was possible to bet on when ex-PM Sunak would call the next general election. Various political figures were accused of using insider knowledge to place bets with knowledge on when this would happen, which is against the UK’s rules.
Williams, who lost the support of the Conservative Party after admitting he placed a £100 bet on the date of the election, has also been questioned by the Gambling Commission over the issue.
Along with Williams and Sir Oliver, the Gambling Commission also spoke to Liam Booth-Smith, who was chief of staff for Sunak during his time as UK prime minister.
What Happens Next?
Although the Met will not be charging individuals with breaking political betting rules, the Gambling Commission continues to investigate the matter.
Further senior government figures are likely to be questioned by the UK’s regulatory body over the matter in a bid to get to the bottom of what happened ahead of the election.
Documents from Conservative Campaign Headquarters have been seized by the Gambling Commission as part of the investigation.
Reports suggest Sunak himself has not yet been interviewed by the Gambling Commission. However, various party officials have been questioned over the UK’s political betting scandal.
Coincidentally, the Gambling Commission’s Birmingham headquarters are located a short walk away from the Conservative Party conference venue in the city.
