Sir Philip Davies, Latest Tory Allegedly Caught Up in Gambling Probe

Another day, another election betting scandal in the UK. Earlier in the week, it was announced that Welsh Parliament member Russell George was under investigation for an alleged bet on the timing of the general election.

The politician became the fifth Conservative politician faced with inquiries by the Gambling Commission, the body responsible for licensing, regulating, advising, and offering guidance to individuals and businesses that provide gambling in Great Britain.

The roster of politicians is now joined by senior Tory Sir Phillip Davies as the latest Tory to become embroiled in the surprising election betting scandal after allegedly placing an £8,000 ($10,000) bet that he would lose his Shipley seat in West Yorkshire.

Sir Davies: the Bet, “Nobody’s Business”

The politician, who accepted a controversial £500 ($633)-an-hour consultant position with Merkur in May, said his recent bet on the upcoming election was “nobody’s business.” 

“What’s it got to do with you whether I did or didn’t,” Davies said to defend a majority of 6,242.

The Tory also said that similar to the 2005 election when he bet on himself to lose, he hoped he would win but he is also “busting a gut to win” and expecting to lose. 

“I had a bet on myself to lose in the 2005 election, and my bet went down the pan,” Sir Philip told The Sun. 

The second parliamentary candidate to be accused of betting against himself in the general election after Labour’s Kevin Craig added if anyone is alleging he has done illegal, “they’re very welcome to allege it, but I’m afraid I haven’t.”

Inquiry into Wagers on the Date of the July Poll 

The Gambling Commission is also currently looking into at least five other cases of Conservatives who allegedly wagered on the timing of the general election set for July 4.

According to the Met Police, they are also leading an investigation on a “small number of cases” tied to the gambling row in an attempt to determine if the “alleged offending goes beyond Gambling Act offenses to include others such as misconduct in public office.”

According to a spokesperson, the Met “is not taking over the investigation into bets on the timing of the general election.”

Earlier this week, Scottish secretary Alister Jack admitted that he placed three different bets on the timing of the election.

The minister denied that he broke any rules. He is not currently under investigation since he staked the money earlier in the year.