Conservative minister defends Sunak’s handling of gambling scandalPublished at 09:00
David Cornock
Political reporter
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride defended the Prime Minister’s response to the gambling scandal, insisting he had taken “very decisive action” against two candidates who are the subject of an investigation by the Gambling Commission.
He told the Today programme: “If the committee decides someone has broken the rules then they will be kicked out of the Conservative party, so we have no involvement in any of this.”
Yesterday, the Conservative party withdrew its support for two candidates, Laura Sanders and Craig Williams, almost two weeks after Williams, a close aide to Rishi Sunak, admitted making bets on the election date.
Mel Stride denied that the Prime Minister was “whitewashing” and said the facts would take time to establish.
He said it was not unreasonable for an investigation to be carried out once allegations had emerged.
Mr Stride defended Scottish Minister Alistair Jack, who insisted he did not break any rules in his betting actions earlier this year.
The Work and Pensions Secretary said he was not betting on anything, adding: “I’m a rather boring person.”
Liz Kendall, Starmer’s shadow leader in the Labour Party, said Sir Keir Starmer had taken clear action after the Gambling Commission announced it was investigating one of the party’s candidates.
She told Today: “I think the public want politicians to play by the rules. We’re not against gambling, but it has to be done within the rules.”
