Fifth Tory politician in betting probe

A Conservative politician within the Welsh Parliament is being investigated over a wager on the timing of the final election.

Russell George is the fifth Conservative to face inquiries by the Playing Fee.

It comes on the identical day the Conservatives withdrew their help for 2 normal election candidates, together with Mr George’s colleague Craig Williams, who’s standing within the newly-named constituency of Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr.

Mr George, whose seat is Montgomeryshire, stated he’ll co-operate totally with the fee, and has “stepped again” from the Senedd’s Conservative frontbench.

Mr George’s constituency was additionally represented by Mr Williams in Westminster earlier than the dissolution of the UK parliament.

He had been the social gathering’s spokesman for mid Wales on the Conservative frontbench.

In a press release issued after The Guardian broke the story, Mr George stated: “While I’ll cooperate totally with the Playing Fee, it could not be acceptable to touch upon this unbiased and confidential course of.

“Doing so would solely jeopardise and undermine the investigation. It’s the Playing Fee, not the media, that has the accountability, powers and assets to correctly examine these issues and decide what, if any, motion ought to be taken.

“I’ve stepped again from the shadow cupboard whereas the investigation is ongoing. I’ve carried out this as I don’t want to be an pointless distraction to their work.”

Andrew RT Davies, Welsh Conservative chief within the Senedd, stated Mr George had knowledgeable him he had “acquired a letter from the Playing Fee relating to bets on the timing of the final election”.

Mr Davies added: “All different members of the Welsh Conservative [Senedd] group have confirmed that they haven’t positioned any bets.”

Welsh Labour marketing campaign chair Jessica Morden stated: “It took Rishi Sunak virtually two weeks to take motion on considered one of his Conservative candidates.

“How lengthy will it take Andrew RT Davies to droop Russell George?”

Plaid’s Mabon ap Gwynfor stated: “You could not make this up. Hours after backing dropped candidate Craig Williams after one other betting scandal, Russell George is discovered to have carried out the very same factor.

“He ought to have the whip withdrawn from the Welsh Conservative Senedd group without delay.”

Earlier on Tuesday the Conservatives confirmed that they had withdrawn help for Mr Williams and Laura Saunders, the candidate for Bristol North West.

Each will seem on poll papers, however may turn out to be unbiased if elected, pending the results of an investigation.

Two members of Conservative workers have additionally taken leaves of absence from their roles after it emerged they have been being regarded into by the Playing Fee.

In a video assertion posted to X, Mr Williams stated he remained dedicated to the election.

He stated he had “dedicated an error of judgment, not an offence” including: “I need to reiterate my apology on to you.”

“I’m totally co-operating with routine inquiries from the Playing Fee and I intend to clear my title,” he stated.

Final week, a spokesperson for Ms Saunders stated she can be co-operating with the Playing Fee and had nothing additional so as to add.

You could find a full record of candidates for the Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr and Bristol North West constituencies on the BBC Information web site.