Tories who break gambling rules will be booted out of party, vows minister

ANY Conservative caught breaking gambling rules will be “booted out” of the party, a minister said today as Scotland Yard took on a bigger role in investigating suspected use of inside information on the election timing.

- Jitendra Joshi

Business minister Kevin Hollinrake said it was “wrong” for candidates to bet on their own seats after the Sun reported that Sir Philip Davies, the husband of “common sense minister” Esther McVey, had bet £8,000 on himself to lose his race in West Yorkshire.

But Mr Hollinrake revealed that he had himself placed a wager “months ago” at 9-1 on a Tory majority, telling LBC: “You may think that’s foolhardy. I absolutely think that’s still a possibility.”

He would have got much better odds today: Betfair and Paddy Power are offering 100/1 on a Tory victory in next Thursday’s election.