UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak‘s bodyguard was arrested and suspended by Metropolitan Police amid a major investigation into alleged election date bets.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Gambling Commission contacted police last Friday, which said it was investigating alleged bets made by a police constable from its royalty and specialist protection command, the BBC reported.
The Met said the matter was ‘immediately referred to officers in the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards, who opened an investigation, and the officer was also removed from operational duties’.
On Monday the officer was then arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The individual was taken into custody and later bailed, with further enquiries pending.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
A Met Police spokesperson said: ‘We can confirm that on Friday, 14 June, the Met were contacted by the Gambling Commission who informed us that they were investigating alleged bets made by a Police Constable from the Met’s Royalty and Specialist Protection Command, which were related to the timing of the General Election.
‘The Gambling Commission continues to lead the investigation into the alleged betting offences, and our investigation is running in parallel to that.’
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The Gambling Commission has said it is investigating ‘the possibility of offences concerning the date of the election’.
REACTION
Responding to Rishi Sunak’s protection officer being arrested over alleged election date bets, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper said: ‘Rishi Sunak must call a Cabinet Office inquiry into what is shaping up to be yet another scandal at the heart of Government.
‘This stinks of yet more sleaze and answers are needed. ‘An inquiry is needed to understand who knew what and when.’
