Ex-MP faces two year wait for betting offences trial

A former Conservative MP faces a wait of more than two years for trial after being charged with betting offences, a court has heard.

Craig Williams, 40, who was previously the Tory MP for both Montgomeryshire and Cardiff North, appeared at Londons Southwark Crown Court on Friday after an investigation into alleged bets on the date of the 2024 election, but did not indicate a plea.

Mr Williams, of Llanfair Caereinion in Welshpool, Powys, was also parliamentary private secretary to Rishi Sunak during his time as prime minister.

He and his 14 co-defendants could face up to two years in prison for the offences if they are convicted.

Mr Williams was first elected as the MP for Cardiff North between 2015 and 2017 before he lost his seat.

He was then elected MP for Montgomeryshire at the 2019 general election, and lost his seat in July last year.

The court heard that, before the general election was called, planning took place at Downing Street and Conservative campaign headquarters.

The 15 defendants are alleged to have placed bets based on confidential information gained from those rooms, or enabled others to place bets by passing that information on.

Twelve others, including Russell George, a former Conservative and now independent member of the Welsh Senedd, indicated they would deny the charges.

Because of the large number of defendants, two trials will take place, with the first on 6 September 2027, and the second on 3 January 2028.

Mr Williams will be in the 2028 trial.

There were gasps in court as prosecutor Sam Stein KC set out the timetable for the case.

He told the court that even the proposed schedule was optimistic.

The court will hear an application to dismiss the charges on January 19 next year.

The charges came after "Operation Scott" was launched to investigate gambling by politicians and employees of the Conservative Party in the lead-up to the 2024 general election.

Mr Sunak, who has provided a witness statement in this case, had noted that elections would take place in the second half of the year but had not given a date.

Prosecuting on behalf of the Gambling Commission, Mr Stein told a previous hearing the operation was launched to investigate those "with the benefit of confidential or insider information" about the date of the 2024 general election.

"The prosecution says that placing bets with inside information is a criminal offence, namely cheating," he added.

Those found guilty of an offence under section 42 of the Gambling Act could face a fine or a jail term of up to two years.