Ex-Tory MP and 14 others charged with gambling offences

The Gambling Commission has charged 15 people - including former MP Craig Williams and ex-CCHQ campaigning boss Tony Lee - over bets placed on the timing of the 2024 general election.

Mr Williams was among a number of people linked to the Conservative Party reported to have made bets on the election date, which was called by then-prime minister Rishi Sunak.

The former Montgomeryshire MP admitted at the time to having a "flutter" on the election date just days before it was announced in May last year.

They have all been charged with cheating under Section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005, which is a criminal offence.

Among others facing charges are Russell George, the Senedd member for Montgomeryshire, and Nick Mason, a former chief data officer for the Conservative Party.

Laura Saunders, who was Tory candidate for Bristol North West at the election and is married to the party's campaign chief, has also been charged with the same offence.

Those charged are:

• Simon Chatfield, 51, (DOB: 19/03/1974), Lower Bourne, Farnham, GU10
• Russell George, 50, (DOB: 27/04/1974), Newtown, Wales, SY16
• Amy Hind, 34, (DOB: 13/07/1990), Loughton, Essex, IG10
• Anthony Hind, 36, (DOB: 12/09/1988), Loughton, Essex, IG10
• Jeremy Hunt, 55, (DOB: 08/04/1970), Horne, Horley, RH6, (former Police Officer)
• Thomas James, 38, (DOB: 15/09/1986), Brecon, Wales, LD3
• Charlotte Lang, 36, (DOB: 15/02/1989), Brixton, SW9
• Anthony Lee, 47, (DOB: 24/04/1977), Bristol, BS1
• Iain Makepeace, 47, (DOB: 15/08/1977), Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE16
• Nick Mason, 51, (DOB: 03/10/1973), Milton on Stour, Gillingham, SP8
• Paul Place, 53, (DOB: 11/05/1971), Hammersmith, London, W6
• Laura Saunders, 37, (DOB: 23/02/1988), Bristol, BS1
• James Ward, 40, (DOB: 12/08/1984), London, E11
• Craig Williams, 39, (DOB: 07/06/1985), Llanfair Caereinion, Welshpool, SY21
• Jacob Willmer, 39, (DOB: 06/07/1985), Richmond, London, TW9

They are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court at 10am on Friday 13 June 2025.

A Conservative Party spokesman said: “The Conservative Party believes that those working in politics must act with integrity. Current members of staff who have been charged are being suspended with immediate effect.

“These incidents took place in May last year. Our Party is now under new leadership and we are cooperating fully with the Gambling Commission to ensure that their investigation can conclude swiftly and transparently.”

Darren Millar, the leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said: "Having been informed that Russell George MS has been charged with gambling-related offences, I have taken the decision to suspend him from the Welsh Conservative group in the Senedd.

"The suspension is a neutral act pending the outcome of the justice process.

"There will be no further comment at this time."

Ellie Reeves MP, Chair of the Labour Party, commenting on the Gambling Commission charging 15 people with offences relating to betting on the General Election, said:

"This is a very serious development. The British people will expect that anyone found guilty of wrongdoing faces the full force of the law.

"Kemi Badenoch must make crystal clear that anyone found guilty of using insider information to cheat the system to try to enrich themselves has no place in the Conservative Party. No ifs, no buts.

"Labour is turning the page on 14 years of Conservative chaos and scandal and we’re turning our country round through our Plan for Change. Only Labour can be trusted to deliver security for working people and the renewal Britain needs."