Police will not pursue any charges of misconduct in public office against political figures who potentially used inside information to bet on the general election date, they have announced.
However, a Metropolitan police statement said the Gambling Commission would continue to look into whether any possible offences had been committed under the Gambling Act, which is overseen by the betting watchdog.
The investigation began after the Guardian revealed that Craig Williams, who was Rishi Sunak’s parliamentary private secretary and a Tory MP before losing his seat in July, placed a £100 bet on a July election three days before the prime minister named the date.
Williams and another candidate, Laura Saunders, eventually lost the formal support of the party after it emerged they were being investigated by the commission.
It is also examining bets allegedly placed by Tony Lee, the Conservatives’ campaigns director, who is married to Saunders; Nick Mason, the Tories’ chief data officer; and Russell George, a Tory member of the Welsh parliament who represents the same area as Williams did.
Seven Met police officers were also placed under investigation over allegations they used inside information to bet on the election date.
Alongside the commission inquiries, the Met examined whether any other offences, particularly misconduct in public office, could apply. A “small number of cases” thought to be potentially relevant were reviewed by detectives before advice was sought from the Crown Prosecution Service, the Met statement said.
“Based on the assessment of the evidence and the advice from the CPS, it was determined that the high bar for misconduct in public office to be proven was not met,” it added.
“It has therefore been agreed between the Met and the Gambling Commission that the more appropriate criminal offences to progress with would be those under the Gambling Act. The Met’s involvement in the investigation of any criminal matters will now come to an end and the cases will be passed back to the Gambling Commission for further investigation.”
Det Supt Katherine Goodwin said: “These allegations caused a significant dent in public confidence during the election campaign and it was right that they were investigated to explore all possible offences.
“While our involvement in the criminal investigation now ceases, it’s important that is not misinterpreted as an all clear for those whose cases were looked at. There are still Gambling Act offences to consider and it is appropriate that they are taken forward by investigators from the Gambling Commission who have particular expertise in this field.
“Seven police officers who are alleged to have placed bets are still among those being investigated by the Gambling Commission. They also remain under investigation by the Met’s directorate of professional standards.”
A section of the Gambling Act connected to cheating can cover attempts by someone to improve their chances in a bet by using inside information. If convicted, a person can face up to two years in jail.
