Tory director of campaigning ‘takes leave of absence’ as election betting scandal grows
The Conservative campaign has been hit by betting scandals (PA) (PA Archive)
The Conservative Party’s director of campaigning has “taken a leave of absence” as the scandal over allegations that key figures used insider knowledge to bet on the date of the election.
The Independent has been told that Tony Lee took “a leave of absence” after it was discovered his wife Laura Saunders was being investigated for placing a bet on the general election .
It means that the Tory election campaign which was already on the ropes with Labour holding a massive 20 point lead is without its campaign director.
The Independent has asked for the Conservative Party for a comment.
The revelation has thrown an already catastrophic Conservative campaign into complete crisis with allegations centring around Rishi Sunak’s inner circle.
Last week it was revealed that his closest parliamentary aide, Craig Williams, who was the prime minister’ parliamentary private secretary, was under investigation after “having a flutter” of £100 on the date of the election just three days before it was called by Mr Sunak.
Ms Saunders, like Mr Williams, is now under investigation by the Gambling Commission with one of his close protection police officers also facing inquiries over a bet they made on the election date.
Unlike the two Tory candidates, the police officer has been suspended from duties.
Now it has emerged that Mr Lee, who would have been one of the few people to know the election date has been forced to step back from his duties.
While claims he has been suspended have not been confirmed, the tories now enter the closing stages of the election without one of their key organisational figures.
This after polls yesterday appeared to confirm that the party is heading for the worst defeat in its electoral history with a potential wipeout at the polls.
Mr Lee is a shadowy figure in the backroom of the Tory operation but holds a key position in organising the campaign.
More to follow...