Former aide to Rishi Sunak, Craig Williams, has admitted in Southwark Crown Court to engaging in fraudulent gambling activities related to predicting the date of the 2024 general election. Williams, a former Tory MP for Montgomeryshire and Cardiff North, confessed to utilizing confidential information to place bets on the election timing. He entered his guilty plea during a session at Southwark Crown Court, wagering amounts of £250, £100, and £22.50 on the election date.
Following the scandal, Williams, who had been part of Mr. Sunak’s close circle, acknowledged his “huge error of judgment” after being confronted about a £100 bet. The incident, coupled with other missteps during the election, negatively impacted Mr. Sunak’s electoral campaign, leading to the Conservative party’s worst-ever defeat in July 2024.
Prosecutor Zoe Johnson KC mentioned that three additional cheating charges against Williams, which he denies, will be dismissed upon sentencing. Johnson highlighted Williams’ privileged position as a member of the Privy Council, emphasizing his access to sensitive discussions about the election date at both Downing Street and Conservative headquarters. She stated that Williams acknowledged through his plea that he had used confidential information to place bets and make a profit.
Another individual, Amy Hind, the spouse of Conservative deputy digital director Anthony Hind, also pleaded guilty to cheating on the election date. She placed various bets before attempting to wager significant amounts on a July poll. The court heard that her attempts were unsuccessful initially, but she eventually managed to place a successful £100 bet on a July election at 11-1 odds. Prosecutors dropped a separate cheating charge against her husband regarding passing information to her.
Hind is scheduled for sentencing by Judge Tony Baumgartner on October 23, while Williams will await sentencing until his co-defendants have faced trial. During the recent court hearing, 12 co-defendants pleaded not guilty to charges of cheating at gambling concerning bets on the 2024 election.