Sunak’s protection officer arrested for betting on date of election

Regulation

A police officer working as part of Rishi Sunak’s protection team has been arrested following an investigation into alleged bets on the timing of the general election.

The bodyguard was taken into custody and has now been released on bail, pending further inquiries, the Met said.

The suspect is a member of the Met’s Royalty and Specialist Protection Command, which provides personal protection to political VIPs and members of the Royal Family.

The arrest follows the Gambling Commission tipping off the Met Police last week that they were investigating the constable’s activities.

The allegations were then referred Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards, before the officer was then suspended from duty.

Police said the matter was immediately referred to the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards and the officer was also removed from operational duties.

The matter has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), the force added.

Separately, the BBC reported on Wednesday that a second Conservative candidate is being looked into by the Gambling Commission over an alleged bet relating to the timing of the general election.

A Conservative party spokesman told the broadcaster: “We have been contacted by the Gambling Commission about a small number of individuals. As the Gambling Commission is an independent body, it wouldn’t be proper to comment further, until any process is concluded.”

Liberal Democrats deputy leader Daisy Cooper, responding to news of the police officer’s arrest, said: “Rishi Sunak must call a Cabinet Office inquiry into what is shaping up to be yet another scandal at the heart of Government.

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