According to Sky News: “The UK Gambling Commission is looking to prosecute at least three suspects, but possibly up to five. This includes a politician and a close protection guard.”

The allegations relate to some member of parliament’s candidates and officials that bet on the date of Britain’s July 4 general election vote just days before Sunak himself announced the date of the poll to the British public.

So far, five Conservative officials have been named as being under investigation by the Gambling Commission (GC) for allegedly placing bets on a July election using inside party knowledge.

It is understood that the commission is not yet at the point of making an announcement and a spokesperson said the commission would not comment on an ongoing investigation.

“We clearly appreciate the level of public interest there is in this ongoing investigation,” a commission spokesperson told Sky News.

“But to protect the integrity of the investigation and to ensure a fair and just outcome, we are unable to comment further at this time, including the name of any person who may be under suspicion, or the total number of suspects.