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LONDON — British police on Friday dropped their investigation into suspicious bets placed on the date of the country’s general election.
The U.K.’s summer election campaign was rocked by claims that politicians and Westminster insiders had used their knowledge to bet on the timing of the nationwide vote, the calling of which was a closely-guarded secret in the gift of then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
In a statement Friday, the Metropolitan Police said its element of the investigation, which included probing allegations of misconduct in public office, had now ended and that insufficient evidence had been found to bring convictions along those lines.
However, Britain’s betting watchdog, the Gambling Commission, will continue to assess whether criminal offenses have been committed under the country’s separate Gambling Act.
Met Police Detective Superintendent Katherine Goodwin said in a statement: “While our involvement in the criminal investigation now ceases, it’s important that is not misinterpreted as an all-clear for those whose cases were looked at.
“There are still Gambling Act offenses to consider, and it is appropriate that they are taken forward by investigators from the Gambling Commission who have particular expertise in this field.”
The Met announced in June that one of its officers serving in the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command, which oversees bodyguard duties for the prime minister and other key public figures, had been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The force said Friday that no further action “will be taken against him in relation to that specific offense.” It confirmed that seven police officers alleged to have placed bets are still being investigated by the Gambling Commission and remain subject to a probe by the Met’s own professional standards directorate.
Gambling Commission Chief Executive Andrew Rhodes said his watchdog’s investigation “continues to progress and we have interviewed several suspects under caution.”
He added: “We clearly appreciate the level of public interest there is in this investigation but in order to protect the integrity of the investigation and to ensure a fair and just outcome, we are unable to comment further at this time, including the name of any person who may be under suspicion, or the total number of suspects.”
