Rishi Sunak’s bodyguard arrested and suspended for alleged election date betting | Politics news

The police officer’s arrest came weeks after it was revealed that Sunak’s close parliamentary adviser Craig Williams was being investigated for betting on elections in July.

Sky News has learned that a bodyguard for Rishi Sunak has been arrested and suspended for allegedly betting on the timing of the general election.

The officer is a member of the British police’s Royalty and Specialist Protection (RaSP) command, which provides personal protection for VIP ministers and members of the royal family.

According to Sky News, several bets were placed, with at least one of them involving a three-figure amount.

The arrest of the police officer came days after it was revealed that Mr Sunak Parliamentary Advisor Craig Williams He is being investigated for betting on an election date in July.

The Gambling Commission informed the Metropolitan Police on Friday 14 June that it was investigating the police officer’s activities.

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Police said the case was immediately referred to officers from the Police Professional Standards Directorate, who launched an investigation. The officer was also relieved of his operational duties.

The Met added in a statement: “The officer was subsequently arrested on Monday 17 June on suspicion of abuse of office. He was taken into custody and released on bail pending further enquiries.”

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

The Gambling Commission confirmed that it was “investigating possible violations related to the election date.”

It continued: “This is an ongoing investigation and the Commission cannot provide further details at this stage.”

The matter has also been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

An IOPC spokesman said: “We have received a firm referral from the Metropolitan Police Service and will make a decision on the extent of the IOPC’s involvement in due course.”

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Prime Minister’s advisors under investigation

Mr Sunak said he was “disappointed” after it emerged last week that Mr Williams had bet on July elections.

Mr Williams, the Prime Minister’s Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS), is under investigation for “casting doubt on the prospects of the general election” just days before the July 4 election date was announced.

A PPS is a backbencher who acts as the Prime Minister’s “eyes and ears” in the House of Commons.

He has so far refused to confirm whether he had any inside information at the time he placed the bet.