The second conservative candidate analyzed the electoral bets

A second Tory candidate is being investigated by the Gambling Commission over a bet linked to the timing of the general election, the BBC can reveal.

Laura Saunders is the party’s candidate in Bristol North West and has been working for the party since 2015.

She is understood to have most recently worked in the party’s International Division – a department at Conservative Campaign HQ that liaises with other centre-right parties around the world.

It is not known when the bet was placed or for how much money.

A Conservative Party spokesman told the BBC: “We have been contacted by the Gambling Commission about a small number of people. As the Gambling Commission is an independent body, it would not be appropriate to comment further until any proceedings are concluded.”

Ms Saunders was approached for comment and did not respond.

Ms Saunders is the second potential parliamentary candidate to be scrutinized by the gambling regulator.

Mr Williams, the Tory candidate for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, reportedly placed a £100 bet on the July election three days before Mr Sunak announced it would happen on July 4.

Using confidential information to gain an unfair advantage in betting “may constitute an offense of cheating under section 42 of the Gambling Act, which is an offence”, according to a Gambling Commission spokesman.

Separately on Wednesday, the BBC revealed that a police officer from the prime minister’s close protection team had been arrested for allegedly betting on the timing of the general election.

The officer has been suspended and is being investigated for possible misconduct in public office.

The Met was contacted by the Gambling Commission on June 14, who informed the force that it was investigating alleged bets made by a police officer from the Met’s Enforcement and Specialist Command.

The Met told the BBC: “The matter was immediately referred to officers from the Met’s Professional Standards Directorate, who opened an investigation and the officer was also removed from operational duties.”

The officer was arrested on Monday, then taken into custody and released on bail pending further enquiries.