Rishi Sunak’s former aide is among 15 people to have been charged following a probe into bets placed on the date of last year’s general election.
Craig Williams, who was the ex-prime minister’s parliamentary private secretary until last summer, has been charged with offences under the Gambling Act 2005.
The former MP was the Tory candidate for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr at last July’s election.
But he saw the party pull its support for his re-election bid amid a scandal over bets placed on the timing of the Westminster contest.
Mr Williams admitted at the time to having a ‘flutter’ on the election date just days before it was announced by Mr Sunak, during a downpour outside Downing Street, in May last year.
Among the 14 others charged by the Gambling Commission are Laura Saunders, who was the Conservative candidate in Bristol North West.
Her husband Tony Lee, who was the Conservatives’ director of campaigning, has also been charged.
Russell George, the Senedd member for Montgomeryshire, Nick Mason, a former chief data officer for the Tories, and Jeremy Hunt, a former police officer, are also facing charges.
The Tories withdrew support for Ms Saunders before the 4 July general election after she was placed under investigation, while Mr Lee and Mr Mason took leaves of absences from their party roles during the campaign.
Mr George stepped back from the shadow cabinet in the Welsh Parliament after being placed under investigation.
A Gambling Commission spokesman said: ‘The Gambling Commission has charged 15 people with offences under the Gambling Act 2005 following an investigation into alleged cheating related to bets placed on the timing of the 2024 general election.
‘The investigation, initiated in June 2024, focused on individuals suspected of using confidential information – specifically advance knowledge of the proposed election date – to gain an unfair advantage in betting markets.
‘Such actions constitute an offence of cheating under Section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005, a criminal offence.’
Those who have been charged are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 13 June.
The Metropolitan Police previously dropped its own probe into betting on the date of the general election, saying the bar for misconduct in public office had not been met.
• Simon Chatfield, 51, (DOB: 19/03/1974), Lower Bourne, Farnham, GU10
• Russell George, 50, (DOB: 27/04/1974), Newtown, Wales, SY16
• Amy Hind, 34, (DOB: 13/07/1990), Loughton, Essex, IG10
• Anthony Hind, 36, (DOB: 12/09/1988), Loughton, Essex, IG10
• Jeremy Hunt, 55, (DOB: 08/04/1970), Horne, Horley, RH6, (former Police Officer)
• Thomas James, 38, (DOB: 15/09/1986), Brecon, Wales, LD3
• Charlotte Lang, 36, (DOB: 15/02/1989), Brixton, SW9
• Anthony Lee, 47, (DOB: 24/04/1977), Bristol, BS1
• Iain Makepeace, 47, (DOB: 15/08/1977), Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE16
• Nick Mason, 51, (DOB: 03/10/1973), Milton on Stour, Gillingham, SP8
• Paul Place, 53, (DOB: 11/05/1971), Hammersmith, London, W6
• Laura Saunders, 37, (DOB: 23/02/1988), Bristol, BS1
• James Ward, 40, (DOB: 12/08/1984), London, E11
• Craig Williams, 39, (DOB: 07/06/1985), Llanfair Caereinion, Welshpool, SY21
• Jacob Willmer, 39, (DOB: 06/07/1985), Richmond, London, TW9