Two Welsh Parliament Committees have removed Russell George, a Conservative Member of the Senedd (MS), from his positions following his involvement in betting offences. Alongside 14 others, including a former Welsh Tory MP and a senior Welsh Conservatives staff member, George faced charges from the Gambling Commission as a result of an investigation into betting during last summer’s general election. As a consequence of his suspension from the Tory group by Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Darren Millar, George is now an independent MS and has lost his roles as chairman of the health committee and member of the committee scrutinizing the first minister’s work.
In light of the charges brought by the Gambling Commission on Monday, Russell George, former Montgomeryshire MP Craig Williams, and Welsh Conservative director Thomas James are scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court in June along with 12 others. The charges stem from an investigation looking into potential cheating surrounding bets made on the timing of the upcoming 2024 general election. Those found guilty of such offenses could face fines or imprisonment for a maximum of two years. Despite being selected as the lead candidate for the Gwynedd Maldwyn Conservative list in the next Senedd election, George no longer holds his committee positions due to his status as an independent MS.
According to a spokesperson for the Senedd, the presiding officer Elin Jones informed political party business managers on Monday night that George is no longer affiliated with the health committee or first minister scrutiny committee following his suspension from the Conservative group. The Gambling Commission’s investigation targeted individuals suspected of utilizing privileged information for an unfair advantage in betting markets, a criminal act. Craig Williams, who previously served as MP for Montgomeryshire and Cardiff North, had also worked as an aide to former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during the last Conservative UK government. Welsh Conservatives director Thomas James has been suspended from his position within the party as confirmed by party officials on Monday.
Despite his longstanding tenure as an MS for Montgomeryshire since 2011, Russell George’s professional and political circumstances have drastically changed due to his involvement in the betting offenses investigated by the Gambling Commission. The fallout from these charges has not only resulted in his suspension from the Welsh Conservative group but also in the loss of his roles on key parliamentary committees within the Welsh Parliament
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