Bodyguard of UK Prime Minister Arrested for Alleged Election Betting

A bodyguard for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was arrested for allegedly betting on the UK election date using insider information. The election date was a closely guarded secret, disclosed on May 22, with the election set for July 4. The officer has been suspended, and an investigation is ongoing.

LONDON: A police bodyguard for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was arrested on June 19, 2024, over alleged bets placed on the date of the UK national election before it was publicly announced.

The officer, part of the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command, was detained Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The arrest followed an investigation by the Gambling Commission, which suspected offenses related to the election date.

Prime Minister Sunak had revealed on May 22 that the election for Parliament would occur on July 4, a closely guarded secret that surprised many Conservative Party members.

Betting is common in the UK, but using inside information is illegal.

The officer, who remains unnamed and is currently on bail, has been suspended pending further investigation.

Additionally, Sunak aide Craig Williams is under investigation for placing a hundred-pound bet on the July election before it was officially announced.