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Former Conservative MP Craig Williams is facing more than a two-year wait for trial after being charged with betting offenses, according to a recent court hearing. The 40-year-old, who previously represented Montgomeryshire and Cardiff North, appeared at London’s Southwark Crown Court to face allegations of betting on the date of the 2024 election. During his time in office, he served as the parliamentary private secretary to former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Williams, along with 14 co-defendants, could potentially be sentenced to a maximum of two years in prison if found guilty of the charges. His political career saw him elected as the MP for Cardiff North in 2015 until 2017, then later as the MP for Montgomeryshire in 2019 before losing his seat in July the following year. The court proceedings revealed that the defendants had allegedly placed bets based on confidential information obtained from Downing Street and Conservative campaign headquarters prior to the general election.
The legal process regarding the alleged betting offenses involves a total of 15 defendants, including Russell George, an independent member of the Welsh Senedd. Due to the large number of individuals involved, the trials are set to take place on separate dates, with the first trial scheduled for September 6, 2027, and the second for January 3, 2028. Prosecutors outlined the timeline for the case in court, with an anticipatory court date set for January 19 next year to discuss a potential dismissal of the charges.
The charges stem from an investigation known as “Operation Scott,” which was initiated to look into gambling activities by politicians and Conservative Party staff leading up to the 2024 general election. Rishi Sunak, a key figure in the case, provided a witness statement confirming the timing of the elections. The prosecution, representing the Gambling Commission, emphasized that placing bets based on insider information is considered cheating and a criminal offense under the Gambling Act, potentially carrying penalties such as fines or jail time of up to two years
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