Top Tory takes leave over election betting allegations

The Conservative Party's chief data officer has taken a leave of absence over claims he placed bets on the timing of the general election. Nick Mason is the latest Tory to be investigated by the Gambling Commission for allegedly betting on the timing of the election before the date had been announced.

- DAVID LYNCH

The latest allegations were published by The Sunday Times, which claimed dozens of bets had been placed with potential winnings worth thousands of pounds.

The revelations are a fresh blow to Rishi Sunak’s hopes of getting the Tory election campaign on track after three other Conservative figures were caught up in the scandal.

Tony Lee, the party’s director of campaigns, and his wife Laura Saunders, are under investigation by the commission. Ms Saunders, a Conservative candidate in the Bristol North West constituency, has said she will cooperate with the investigation.