Starmer says ‘Prime Minister delayed until bullied to take action’ on betting row

The Prime Minister delayed acting on the betting line – until he was bullied into taking action, says Sir Keir Starmer. The Labor leader and Rishi Sunak went head-to-head on the BBC tonight (Wednesday) in the last televised debate before next week’s election.

The scandal surrounding political betting placed before the July 4 contest had to feature heavily in the last major gaming event before polling day. The first question from the audience at the BBC event was how leaders will restore trust in politics, with people “dismayed at the lack of integrity and honesty” amid recent betting allegations.

Sir Keir laid the blame at the prime minister’s door, saying: “You have to lead from the front on issues like this.”

He linked the scandal to the so-called party gate, when Mr Sunak was fined for breaching quarantine rules.

Sir Keir said: “What I did, when one of my team was allegedly involved and investigated by the Gambling Commission, was suspended within minutes, because I knew it was very important to be quick. The Prime Minister delayed and delayed and delayed until finally he was bullied into taking action.”

Mr Sunak replied: “It was important to me that, given the seriousness and sensitivity of the issues involved, they were dealt with appropriately and that’s what we did.”

The Prime Minister repeated that he was “frustrated” and “angry” about the deal. He hit back at the Labor leader by launching an attack on his tax plans, saying Sir Keir was “not being honest with everyone about his plans to raise their taxes”.

At least five Tories are being investigated by the Gambling Commission as part of its investigation into poll time betting on July 4. In the latest twist in the saga, Tory candidate Sir Philip Davies is said to be betting against himself holding his marginal constituency of Shipley, according to The Sun.

Sunak on Tuesday backed down from growing calls to withdraw support for two parliamentary candidates facing an investigation by the regulator – his parliamentary adviser Craig Williams and Laura Saunders. Ms Saunders’ husband, Tory campaign director Tony Lee, has taken leave, as has Tory chief data officer Nick Mason, while Welsh Tory Senedd member Russell George also faces a investigation by the gambling watchdog.

Labor was also dragged into the row, suspending candidate Kevin Craig after he was investigated by the regulator for betting on himself to lose the Central Suffolk and North Ipswich contest. The sound of protesters shouting outside the debate venue in Nottingham could be heard as the two leaders began to speak.

Host Mishal Hussain confirmed the demonstration was taking place.