Tories pull support from candidates in betting scandal

RISHI SUNAK today caved into intensifying pressure and dropped his support for two Conservative candidates at the centre of a betting scandal over the timing of the election.

- Jitendra Joshi and Anthony

A Conservative Party spokesman said: "As a result of ongoing internal enquiries, we have concluded that we can no longer support Craig Williams or Laura Saunders as parliamentary candidates at the forthcoming general election.

"We have checked with the Gambling Commission that this decision does not compromise the investigation that they are conducting, which is rightly independent and ongoing."

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer responded: "Why didn't that happen a week ago?"

The Prime Minister's U-turn came after Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker joined other Conservatives such as former defence minister Tobias Ellwood in calling for the suspension of four Tories alleged to have placed bets on the election date.