Yet another member from United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative party is being investigated by the country’s Gambling Commission for allegedly placing a bet on the general election date. 

Russell George, a Conservative politician in the Welsh Parliament became the fifth Tory member facing inquiries by the Gambling Commission, reported the British media on Wednesday (Jun 26). 

George, who represents the same constituency as Sunak’s closest parliamentary aide Craig Williams, was informed by the gambling watchdog that he is under investigation for allegedly placing bets on a July election. 

The Tory lawmaker who represents Montgomeryshire in the Welsh parliament said he is stepping back from his role as the Welsh Tories’ deputy chief whip until the investigation is over. 

He told the Guardian that he will “cooperate fully” with the investigation but does not want to say anything else as it would “only jeopardise and undermine the investigation.” 

Sunak’s Conservative party, which is reportedly headed for a historic loss in the July 4 election, has been engulfed in the betting scandal. 

As per BBC, some 15 candidates and officials of the party are being looked at by the Gambling Commission over alleged betting on the timing of the general election.

Scottish Secretary and Conservative cabinet minister, Alister Jack admitted placing three bets on the date on which the general elections will be conducted. 

He told the BBC that in April he successfully placed bets that the elections will take place between July and September. This was after he had lost similar bets in March. 

However, he later denied making such bets and told the British broadcaster that he was joking. The minister who will not be participating in the election after seven years in Parliament also denies breaking any rules. 

Jack told the BBC, on Tuesday (Jun 25) that he had placed a $25.3 (£20) bet at five to one. The cabinet minister said he had also “put two bets on in March of £5 ($6.3) each for an election to be held in May and June respectively”. 

Sunak made the surprise announcement of holding the general elections in July, on May 22. 

“I had no knowledge of the date of the election until the day it was called…I placed no bets in May and am not under investigation by the Gambling Commission,” he told the British broadcaster. 

The betting scandal, which was previously limited to the Tories, also affected the opposition Labour Party as it suspended one of its general election candidates, reported the British media, on Tuesday (Jun 25). 

Kevin Craig, Labour’s Central Suffolk and North Ipswich candidate, was “administratively” suspended after the party was informed by the Gambling Commission that they are launching an investigation into the contender. 

Craig took to social media and released a statement acknowledging as well as apologising for what he called a “huge mistake”. He also said that he would “comply fully” with the investigation. 

“A few weeks ago when I thought I would never win this seat I put a bet on the Tories to win here with the intention of giving any winnings to local charities,” the now-suspended Labour party member said. 

He added, “While I did not place this bet with any prior knowledge of the outcome, this was a huge mistake, for which I apologise unreservedly,” 

“I deeply regret what I have done and will take the consequences of this stupid error of judgement on the chin.” 

(With inputs from agencies)