Former Sunak Aide Admits Betting on 2024 Election Date.

A former parliamentary private secretary to Rishi Sunak admitted betting on the date of the 2024 election. Craig Williams, a former Conservative MP who was Sunak’s closest parliamentary aide when he was prime minister, pleaded guilty to cheating at gambling with bets on the date of the 2024 general election.

Williams, who was MP for Montgomeryshire and, earlier, Cardiff North, admitted in court that he used confidential information to place bets on the timing of the contest. As Sunak’s parliamentary private secretary between October 2022 and June 2024, he had been part of the prime minister’s inner circle and had access to key information.

Craig Williams used inside information from his role as a parliamentary aide to Rishi Sunak. On May 22, 2024, Sunak announced that a general election would be held on July 4. Williams pleaded guilty on Monday at Southwark Crown Court to betting on the election date.

Zoe Johnson KC, prosecuting, said three further cheating charges, which Williams denies, would be dropped when he is sentenced. Williams had not entered a plea when he appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court last year after charges were brought by the Gambling Commission.

Monday’s hearing was also told that Amy Hind, 35, the wife of Conservative deputy digital director Anthony Hind, has also pleaded guilty to cheating over the date of the election. Williams will not be sentenced until a number of co-defendants stand trial next year and in 2028. Hind had placed bets of £10, £5 and £20 on the date of the election, before attempting to stake £767 and £700 on a July poll.