Former Tory MP Admits To Placing Bets With Confidential Election Information

Former Conservative MP Craig Williams and former Conservative Party staffer Amy Hind have pleaded guilty to cheating offences under the Gambling Act 2005 after using confidential information to bet on the date of the 2024 UK general election.

Their guilty pleas relate to offences under Section 42(1)(a) of the Gambling Act 2005. Prosecutors said both defendants placed bets after obtaining privileged knowledge about when the election would be called, before the date was publicly announced.

The case focuses on betting markets offered by licensed operators ahead of then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s announcement on 22 May 2024 that the general election would take place on 4 July. An investigation identified 15 people who allegedly exploited the election markets.

Charges were brought against several individuals, including Simon Chatfield, Russell George, Thomas James, Charlotte Lang, Anthony Lee, Iain Makepeace, Nick Mason, Paul Place, Laura Saunders, James Ward, Jeremy Hunt and Jacob Wilmer. 

Prosecutors have since dropped the charge against Anthony Hind.

Confidential Information Was Used In Gaining Advantage

According to the Gambling Commission, both Williams and Hind used confidential information that was unavailable to the public.

“This was not a market to be abused by those with inside information as to when the General Election would be held,” the Commission said.

“These two defendants placed bets themselves. In doing so, they cheated. They did so by using confidential and sensitive information about the date of the 2024 general election in order to profit.”

Williams served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Rishi Sunak from October 2022 and became a member of the Privy Council in November 2023. He also represented Montgomeryshire in Parliament until the dissolution of Parliament before the 2024 election.

Political Roles Gave Access To Sensitive Information

Williams was said to have attended meetings where the election timetable was discussed before it became public knowledge.

“As a result of his privileged position Craig Williams attended various meetings with the Prime Minister and senior staff at Conservative Central Headquarters during which the date of the general election was discussed,” the regulator said.

“This was highly sensitive and confidential information but instead of keeping it secret Craig Williams sought to profit from it.”

Amy Hind, who was working as an NHS Business Support Manager when the investigation began, had previously held several positions within the Conservative Party.

The Gambling Commission said she also benefited from confidential information before placing her wagers.

“Amy Hind placed bets on the 2024 general election with the benefit of confidential information passed to her about when that election would be called,” the regulator said.

Sentencing Awaits As Case Continues

Williams and Hind will be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on a date yet to be announced. But the wider case is still ongoing.

The remaining twelve defendants denying the allegations are scheduled to stand trial in two phases beginning in September 2027 and continuing in January 2028.

Recent political contests have generated high trading activity, including a by-election involving former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham that became the most traded by-election market in the history of the Betfair Exchange.

Two former conservative MPs have been found guilty of breaching the gambling act after placing bets with sensitive information. They had access to these details due to their political position and tried to take advantage. Twelve other individuals are also implicated in this case and currently standing trial.