Friday, June 21, 2024 - UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's bodyguard has been arrested and suspended by Metropolitan Police amid a major investigation into alleged election date bets.
The Met was contacted by the Gambling Commission last
Friday, which said it was investigating alleged bets made by a police constable
from its royalty and specialist protection command, the BBC reported.
The Met said the matter was 'immediately referred to
officers in the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards, who opened an
investigation, and the officer was also removed from operational duties'.
On Monday the officer was then arrested on suspicion of
misconduct in public office.
The individual was taken into custody and later bailed, with
further enquiries pending.
A Met Police spokesperson said: 'We can confirm that on
Friday, 14 June, the Met were contacted by the Gambling Commission who informed
us that they were investigating alleged bets made by a Police Constable from
the Met's Royalty and Specialist Protection Command, which were related to the
timing of the General Election.
'The matter was immediately referred to officers in the
Met's Directorate of Professional Standards, who opened an investigation, and
the officer was also removed from operational duties.
'The officer was subsequently arrested on Monday 17 June on
suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was taken into custody and bailed
pending further enquiries. The matter has also been referred to the Independent
Office for Police Conduct.
'The Gambling Commission continues to lead the investigation
into the alleged betting offences, and our investigation is running in parallel
to that.'
The Gambling Commission has said it is investigating 'the
possibility of offences concerning the date of the election'.
A spokesperson said: 'The Gambling Commission regulates
gambling in the interests of consumers and the wider public.
'Currently, the commission is investigating the possibility
of offences concerning the date of the election.
'This is an ongoing investigation, and the commission cannot
provide any further details at this time.'
Responding to Rishi Sunak's protection officer being
arrested over alleged election date bets, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy
Cooper said: 'Rishi Sunak must call a Cabinet Office inquiry into what is
shaping up to be yet another scandal at the heart of Government.
'This stinks of yet more sleaze and answers are needed.
'An inquiry is needed to understand who knew what and when.'
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