Craig Williams stopped by BBC reporter over bet 'error'

Conservative candidate, Craig Williams, who served as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s parliamentary private secretary was questioned on the street in Welshpool by the BBC and apologised for placing the bet but refused to say whether he did so on the basis of insider information.

Mr Williams is alleged to have placed a £100 bet on a July polling day some three days before Mr Sunak named the date as July 4, at a Ladbrokes in his constituency.

Mr Williams told BBC political correspondent Joe Pike: “I clearly made a huge error of judgment, that’s for sure and I apologise.”

EXCL: Tory candidate (and Sunak’s closest parliamentary aide) Craig Williams refuses to tell me whether he had any inside information when he placed a bet on the date of the general election.

But he says: “I clearly made a huge error of judgement”. pic.twitter.com/gCJWNaocoT

— Joe Pike (@joepike) June 13, 2024

Asked repeatedly whether he had had insider information, Mr Williams told the broadcaster on Thursday: “I will not be expanding on that statement because it’s an independent process.

“The Gambling Commission are looking at it now.”

The accusation has led to criticism from his own party with former Prime Minister David Cameron calling the bet “foolish” and fellow Conservative candidate in Powys, Fay Jones, adding “it’s not great. There’s no two ways about that.”

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Opposition parties have been fierce in their criticism.

Labour candidate, Steve Witherden, who was polling second to Mr Williams in the last YouGov poll, said: “Sadly, Tory sleaze is nothing new.

"I’m working hard to bring change to Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr, and to be an MP people can have faith in.”

The Liberal Democrats have called for Mr Williams to be suspended. Their candidate Glyn Preston said: "The PM should immediately suspend Craig Williams as a while an investigation takes place.

"The people of Montgomeryshire & Glyndŵr deserve better than constant scandal from the Conservatives. It’s time that our area returns to its Liberal Democrat roots."

Plaid Cymru’s Elwyn Vaughan said that “these reports speak volumes about Craig Williams’ judgement. No-one in a position of power who respects those who elected them would behave in this way.”

Rhun ap Iorwerth, leader of Plaid Cymru, said there were now “very serious questions” surrounding Mr Williams continuing to stand in the election.

Speaking to the press following his party’s manifesto launch, he said: “I don’t know how quickly that investigation will be concluded, but clearly there are very, very serious questions about the propriety of him remaining as a candidate at all in this election.”