Rishi Sunak’s bodyguard is arrested and suspended by the Metropolitan Police as part of a major investigation into alleged betting on the election date

It has been revealed that a bodyguard of Rishi Sunak has been arrested as part of an investigation into alleged betting on the election date.

An officer in the Prime Minister’s bodyguard was suspended and later arrested by the Metropolitan Police.

The UK Gambling Commission contacted British police last Friday and said it was investigating alleged bets by a police officer from its Royal Family and Special Protection Division, the BBC first reported.

British police said the case was “immediately referred to officers from the Police Directorate of Professional Standards, who have launched an investigation and have also relieved the officer of his operational duties.”

On Monday, the official was arrested on suspicion of abuse of office.

The individual was taken into custody and later released on bail. Further investigations are pending.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “We can confirm that the Metropolitan Police were contacted on Friday 14 June by the Gambling Commission, who advised us that they were investigating alleged betting by a police officer from the Metropolitan Police’s Royalty and Specialist Protection Command, in relation to the timing of the General Election.”

“The case was immediately referred to officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Directorate of Professional Standards, who launched an investigation. In addition, the officer was relieved of his operational duties.”

“The officer was subsequently arrested on suspicion of abuse of office on Monday 17 June. He was taken into custody and released on bail pending further investigations. The case has also been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

“The Gambling Commission continues to lead the investigation into the alleged betting offences and our investigations are running in parallel.”

The Gambling Commission said it was investigating “the possibility of offences related to the election date”.

A spokesman said: “The Gambling Commission regulates gambling in the interests of consumers and the general public.”

“The Commission is currently investigating possible offences related to the election date.”

“This is an ongoing investigation and the Commission cannot provide further details at this time.”

Responding to the arrest of Rishi Sunak’s bodyguard for alleged election date betting, Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: “Rishi Sunak must launch a Cabinet Office investigation into what is developing into another scandal at the heart of the government.”

“This stinks of even more scandal and answers are needed.”

“An investigation is needed to find out who knew what and when.”