Rishi Sunak has said he is not being investigated by the Gambling Commission as part of its probe into bets placed on the date of the election.
The prime minister also said the Conservatives would conduct their own internal investigation into the allegations that have dogged the latter part of his campaign.
Speaking to reporters in Edinburgh, Mr Sunak said his party “will act” if the Conservatives’ own inquiry into the alleged betting scandal finds wrongdoing.
“The Gambling Commission is independent of government – it’s independent of me,” he said.
“I don’t have the details of their investigation, right? They don’t report to me, I don’t have the details, but what I can tell you is, in parallel we’ve been conducting our own internal inquiries and of course will act on any relevant findings or information from that and pass it on to the Gambling Commission.”
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Home secretary quizzed over betting scandal
When asked whether he had ever bet on politics whilst being an MP, Mr Sunak replied: “No.”
The prime minister, who also ruled out any of his family members’ alleged involvement, is in Scotland to help Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross launch the party’s manifesto.
Speaking before the visit, Mr Sunak said the Scottish Conservatives are “sending the nationalists the strongest message possible that the people of Scotland want to move on from their independence obsession”.
The Conservative campaign has been plunged into crisis over claims several people associated with the party placed bets on the date of the general election.
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Bookies to reveal election bets £20 and above
Another top Tory being investigated
Craig Williams admitted to betting on the election date. Pic: PA
Laura Saunders is the party’s candidate in Bristol North West.
Pic: Laura Saunders for Bristol North West
Craig Williams, Mr Sunak’s parliamentary private secretary and Tory candidate in Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, admitted to placing a “flutter” on the date of the election and is facing an investigation.
Tony Lee, the party’s director of campaigns, and his wife Laura Saunders, the Tory candidate for Bristol North West, are also under investigation.
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has today rejected calls including from within Tory ranks for those facing an investigation to have the party whip withdrawn while the probe is ongoing.
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