Betting scandal inside the UK's ruling Conservative Party mars election race

LONDON — Britain's ruling Conservative party has become embroiled in a scandal concerning allegations that senior officials used inside knowledge to win bets on the date of the general election.

Five people connected to U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are being investigated for allegedly placing bets on the date of the July 4 election before it was announced by Sunak on May 22.

Nick Mason, chief data officer for the Conservative Party, is the latest Tory official to be probed by the Gambling Commission, according to a report in The Sunday Times. Mason has taken a leave of absence and his spokesperson denied any wrongdoing, the British newspaper reported. CNBC was unable to immediately confirm this and the Conservative Party has not yet responded to a request for comment.

Conservative MP for Montgomeryshire Craig Williams, who is also a close aide to the prime minister, was the first to face questions regarding a bet on the election date. He confirmed in a statement on X that he put a "flutter on the General Election some weeks ago."

"This has resulted in some routine inquiries and I confirm I will fully cooperate with these. I don't want it to be a distraction from the campaign. I should have thought through how it looks," Williams added.

The Conservative Party's campaign director Tony Lee, and his wife, Laura Saunders — the party's candidate in Bristol North West — are also being looked into by the Gambling Commission.

Lee has taken a leave of absence, The Independent reported, and lawyers acting on behalf of Saunders told the newspaper that she will cooperate with the Gambling Commission and has nothing further to add. Saunders and Lee have not yet responded to a CNBC request for comment.

Lastly, one of Sunak's police