Former Conservative MP Craig Williams, 41, pleaded guilty on Monday at Southwark Crown Court to using confidential information to place three bets on the date of the 2024 General Election. Williams, who served as parliamentary private secretary to then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, attended planning meetings in Downing Street where the election date was discussed.
Details of the Bets
The court heard that Williams placed bets of £250, £100, and £22.50 on the election date. When the scandal first emerged, Williams admitted making a "huge error of judgment" regarding a £100 bet. Prosecutor Zoe Johnson KC stated that Williams, a Privy Council member, was "given a privileged position" and "used highly sensitive and confidential information to place bets and to profit."
Political Career and Fallout
Williams was first elected MP for Cardiff North in 2015, losing the seat to Labour's Anna McMorrin in 2017. He returned to Parliament as MP for Montgomeryshire in 2019 but lost that seat in the 2024 election amid the betting scandal and the Conservatives' electoral defeat. His name remained on the ballot as the election process was already underway, but he slipped to third place; Labour's Steve Witherden won the seat.
Co-Defendants and Trial Dates
Thirteen co-defendants pleaded not guilty to cheating at gambling in relation to bets on the 2024 election. Among them are Russell George, 52, a former Senedd member for Montgomeryshire; Thomas James, 39, former director of the Welsh Conservatives; Jeremy Hunt, 56, a Met Police close protection officer; Anthony Lee, 49, a Conservative Party director of campaigning, and his wife Laura Saunders, 38, a former Tory HQ head of international; Tory Party officials Nick Mason, 52, Iain Makepeace, 48, Simon Chatfield, 52, and James Ward, 41; consultant Paul Place, 55; political strategist Charlotte Lang, 37; and Jacob Willmer, 40, brother of Conservative deputy chief of staff Toby Willmer.
Judge Baumgartner set trials to start on September 6, 2027, and January 3, 2028. Three further cheating charges against Williams, which he denies, will be dropped upon sentencing. Amy Hind, 35, wife of Conservative deputy digital director Anthony Hind, also pleaded guilty to cheating on the election date after placing multiple bets and attempting to stake larger amounts in May 2024. A charge against her husband was dropped. Hind is due to be sentenced on October 23.
Sentencing and Bail
Williams will not be sentenced until after the co-defendants' trials. All defendants were granted unconditional bail.
