Political reporter, Wales News
UK Parliament/SeneddA Conservative member of the Senedd, the party’s Welsh director and an ex-MP are among 15 people charged with betting offences by the Gambling Commission.
Officials have been investigating alleged cheating related to bets on the timing of last year’s general election.
Craig Williams, 39, from Welshpool and the former Tory MP for Montgomeryshire, and Russell George, 50, from Newtown and who represents the same constituency in the Senedd, will appear in court in June.
Thomas James, 38, from Brecon and director of the Welsh Conservatives, was also charged.
The leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd, Darren Millar, said he has suspended Mr George from the party’s group in the Welsh Parliament.
The politician had been reselected as the party’s lead 2026 Senedd election candidate for Gwynedd Maldwyn last Saturday.
Conservatives in Westminster confirmed that Mr James, who is a paid member of staff, had been suspended “with immediate effect”.
Senedd CymruMr Williams was an aide to the prime minister Rishi Sunak in the last Parliament.
The Tory party pulled their support for him as an election candidate and suspended Mr Williams after the investigation was announced during last summer’s election campaign.
The commission said the investigation focused on individuals suspected of using confidential information to gain an unfair advantage in betting markets – a criminal offence.
Others charged include Laura Saunders, the former Conservative parliamentary candidate in Bristol North West, and her partner Anthony Lee, a former director of campaigning for the Conservatives; and Nick Mason, a former chief data officer for the party.
Also on the list are:
- Simon Chatfield, 51,of Lower Bourne, Farnham
- Amy Hind, 34 of Loughton, Essex
- Anthony Hind, 36, of Loughton, Essex
- Former police officer Jeremy Hunt, 55, of Horne, Horley.
- Charlotte Lang, 36, of Brixton, London
- Iain Makepeace, 47, of Newcastle Upon Tyne
- Paul Place, 53, Hammersmith, London,
- James Ward, 40, London
- Jacob Wilmer, 39, Richmond
All have been charged with offences under the gambling act.
Thomas James is a paid member of staff for the Welsh Conservatives.
A Conservative Party spokesman said: “The Conservative Party believes that those working in politics must act with integrity. Current members of staff who have been charged are being suspended with immediate effect.
“These incidents took place in May last year.
“Our party is now under new leadership and we are cooperating fully with the Gambling Commission to ensure that their investigation can conclude swiftly and transparently.”
Darren Millar said: “Having been informed that Russell George MS has been charged with gambling related offences, I have taken the decision to suspend him from the Welsh Conservative group in the Senedd.
“The suspension is a neutral act pending the outcome of the justice process. There will be no further comment at this time.”
