Cops set to take over probe into election betting as scandal deepens
SCOTLAND Yard is poised to take over the investigation from the Gambling Commission into betting by politicians and aides.
Separately, The Sun can reveal a top Tory is accused of placing an £8,000 bet on himself to lose his seat on July 4.
Sir Philip Davies is said to have wagered he will not hold his Shipley constituency, where he is defending a 6,242 majority.
There is no suggestion the leading Tory, married to cabinet minister Esther McVey, has broken the law.
But he did not dispute the sum involved – instead declaring it was “nobody’s business”.
Last night he said he “fully expected to lose” the West Yorkshire marginal but insisted he had not done anything illegal.
Six police officers are under investigation on bets placed on an early election, as well as a slew of election candidates and party hands.
The gambling watchdog has been probing dozens of bets made by senior Tories on the early date of the July elections amid allegations of insider trading.
And on Tuesday a Labour candidate Kevin Craig was suspended from the party for punting against himself to win.
But now The Sun understands the Metropolitan Police are to take over the probe amid its widening scale and complexity.
On Wednesday it was reported data from hundreds of bets placed around the election period have been requested by the Gambling Commission from bookies.
Sources close to the investigation told The Sun the Met would be stepping in shortly to lead the investigation.
The Gambling Commission declined to comment.
The Met Police did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Quizzed by The Sun last night, Sir Philip said, “What’s it go to do with you whether I did or didn’t” place the bet.
He added: “I hope to win. I’m busting a gut to win. I expect to lose. In the 2005 election, I busted a gut to win. I expected to lose.
“I had a bet on myself to lose in the 2005 election, and my bet went down the pan.
While not disputing the sum, he added: “My comment will be whether I have or haven’t, it’s nobody’s business apart from mine.
“And if anyone’s alleging I’ve done anything illegal, they’re very welcome to allege it, but I’m afraid I haven’t.”
He added: “It’s a shame you don’t have anything better to be worried about, isn’t it, about like, what tax increases we would all get after the election.”