Scottish Secretary Alister Jack ‘won £2,000 on election bets’

OUTGOING Tory Scotland Secretary Alister Jack claimed he won more than £2,000 betting on the date of the General Election, according to reports.

But the senior Conservative figure – who is the latest to be dragged into the gambling row engulfing the Tory campaign – insisted he had not broken any rules.

The BBC reported he had won £2,100 betting on the date of the election – which was announced on May 22 – with one placed with odds at 25/1.

Mr Jack – who is stepping down from politics at this election and whose seat is one of the tightest fights between the SNP and the Tories – has served as Scotland Secretary since 2019, and has been an MP since 2017.

Mr Jack said: “I am very clear that I have never, on any occasion, broken any Gambling Commission rules.

“I did not place any bets on the date of the general election during May – the period under investigation by the Gambling Commission.

“Furthermore, I am not aware of any family or friends placing bets.

“I have nothing more to say on this matter.”

He later added: “Following reports today I want to be absolutely clear I have not breached any gambling rules.

“I placed two unsuccessful bets on the date of the general election and one successful one.

“I put two bets on in March of £5 each for an election to be held in May and June respectively.

“In April, I put £20 at 5 to 1 on an election being held between July and September.

“I had no knowledge of the date of the election until the day it was called.

“As I have said previously, I placed no bets in May and am not under investigation by the Gambling Commission.’

The BBC also reported he had claimed the initial comments about winning the cash was “a joke… I was pulling your leg”.

And a spokesperson for the Gambling Commission said: “We are not confirming or denying the identity of any individuals involved in this investigation.”

The Scotland Office declined to comment while the Conservatives and Scottish Tories were contacted for comment.

The latest twist in the betting saga comes as Rishi Sunak finally ditched two candidates in a last-gasp bid to stop the row dominating polling day.

Tory candidates Craig William and Laura Saunders were today stripped of support from the party’s election machine as they continue to face a probe into their alleged bets.

And the watchdog also told the Met Police that five more police officers were alleged to have placed bets relating to the timing of the poll.

Labour also suspended Kevin Craig – a major donor and candidate for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich – for betting against himself and amid a probe by the Gambling Commission.

He said he had made a “huge mistake”.

In a statement said: “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 row has overshadowed the Tory election campaign in recent days as Mr Sunak battles to close his party’s 21-point average poll deficit to Labour.

Mr Williams, who was the Prime Minister’s parliamentary aide, and Ms Saunders who is standing in Bristol North West, will no longer have the support of the party.

Because nominations have closed, Mr Williams – who is standing in Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr – and Ms Saunders will both still be on the ballot paper.