Update on General Election betting investigation

Met Police detectives have concluded their role in the ongoing criminal investigation into the placing of bets on the date of the General Election.

In June, it was announced that bets suspected of only being in breach of Section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005 (Cheating) would be investigated by the Gambling Commission.

The Met would look at bets that were not only suspected of being in breach of that legislation, but that also had specific additional features meaning offences, most likely Misconduct in Public Office, could apply.

The decision for the Met to explore whether such offences applied was taken following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Gambling Commission as part of a coordinated, joint approach.

Only a small number of cases were identified as fitting into the second category. The relevant evidence in those cases was obtained and reviewed by detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command before early advice was sought from the CPS.

Based on the assessment of the evidence and the advice from the CPS, it was determined that the high bar for Misconduct in Public Office to be proven was not met. It has therefore been agreed between the Met and the Gambling Commission that the more appropriate criminal offences to progress with would be those under the Gambling Act.

The Met’s involvement in the investigation of any criminal matters will now come to an end and the cases will be passed back to the Gambling Commission for further investigation.

The Gambling Commission is the statutory body with responsibility for investigating criminal offences as set out in the Gambling Act 2005 and additionally has the statutory prosecutorial power to commence criminal proceedings in relation to any identified offences in contravention of the Act where appropriate to do so.

Detective Superintendent Katherine Goodwin said: “These allegations caused a significant dent in public confidence during the election campaign and it was right that they were investigated to explore all possible offences. `

“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 offences to consider and it is appropriate that they are taken forward by investigators from the Gambling Commission who have particular expertise in this field.

“Seven police officers who are alleged to have placed bets are still among those being investigated by the Gambling Commission. They also remain under investigation by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards.”

Andrew Rhodes, Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission, said: “We have remained focused on our criminal investigation into confidential information being used to gain an unfair advantage when betting on the date of the General Election.

“Our investigation continues to progress and we have interviewed several suspects under caution. We are continuing to interview a number of witnesses, who are co-operating with this criminal investigation, as well as gathering further documentary and electronic evidence.

“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.”

On Monday, 17 June an officer attached to the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command, was arrested on suspicion of Misconduct in Public Office and later bailed. No further action will be taken against him in relation to that specific offence. Nobody else was arrested or interviewed under caution as part of the police investigation.