UK Gambling Commission Charges Ex-Tory MP Craig Williams, 14 Others Over Election Betting Scandal
The UK Gambling Commission has charged former Conservative MP Craig Williams and 14 others over alleged betting offences linked to last year’s general election.
Among those charged are senior figures within the Conservative Party, including Anthony Lee, the party’s former campaign director, and Russell George, a Welsh Conservative Senedd member for Montgomeryshire. Also implicated are Nick Mason, the party’s former chief data officer, and Laura Saunders, Lee’s wife.
The investigation focused on suspicions that the individuals used insider information to place bets on the timing of a snap election, ahead of then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s surprise announcement of a July 4 poll on May 22.
The full list of those charged includes:
- Paul Place (Hammersmith, London)
- Laura Saunders (Bristol)
- James Ward (London)
- Craig Williams (Llanfair Caereinion, Welshpool)
- Jacob Willmer (Richmond, London)
- Simon Chatfield (Lower Bourne, Farnham)
- Russell George (Newtown, Wales)
- Amy Hind (Loughton, Essex)
- Anthony Hind (Loughton, Essex)
- Jeremy Hunt (Horne, Horley)
- Thomas James (Brecon, Wales)
- Charlotte Lang (Brixton, London)
- Anthony Lee (Bristol)
- Iain Makepeace (Newcastle Upon Tyne)
- Nick Mason (Milton on Stour, Gillingham)
All 15 individuals are scheduled to appear before Westminster Magistrates Court at 10am on Friday, June 13, 2025.
