Rishi Sunak's former aide among 15 people charged with gambling on General Election date
14 April 2025, 11:09 | Updated: 14 April 2025, 15:17
A former Conservative MP has been charged with gambling on the timing of the General Election.
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The Gambling Commission said on Monday it had charged Craig Williams and 14 others with gambling offences following an investigation into bets placed on last July's vote.
Allegations against Williams, the former MP for Montgomeryshire in Wales, were made in the run-up to last year's vote.
He lost his seat in the election, with the Tories withdrawing their support for his candidacy.
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, for whom he used to work.
He admitted at the time to having a "flutter" on the election date just days before it was announced in May last year.
Williams said after allegations of gambling impropriety last year that he "committed an error of judgement, not an offence". He also apologised and said he intended to clear his name.
He and the others who are charged are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday June 13.
The probe is separate from the Met Police investigation, which was dropped.
The other 14 who have been charged include:
- Russell George, a serving Conservative Senedd member for Montgomeryshire
- Anthony (Tony) Lee, who was the Tory director of campaigning
- Laura Saunders, Mr Lee's wife
- Simon Chatfield, the Conservatives' chief marketing officer
Following the Gambling Commission's announcement, Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar said George had been suspended from the Conservative group in the Senedd, which he described as "a neutral act pending the outcome of the justice process".
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.”
The full list of those charged:
- 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
- Craig Williams, 39, (DOB: 07/06/1985), Llanfair Caereinion, Welshpool, SY21
- James Ward, 40, (DOB: 12/08/1984), London, E11
- Jacob Willmer, 39, (DOB: 06/07/1985), Richmond, London, TW9
