The Labour Party's general election campaign has been hit by a major scandal as Sir Keir Starmer's close aide, Nick 'Pandit' Mason, has resigned following allegations of betting on the timing of the July 4th poll.
Mr Mason, who served as the party's director of campaigns, is under investigation by the Gambling Commission for allegedly placing a wager on the election date before it was publicly announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The senior official dramatically stepped down from his crucial role on Wednesday evening.
Campaign in Crisis
The resignation sends shockwaves through Labour's campaign headquarters at a critical juncture, just two weeks before the nation heads to the polling stations. A Labour spokesperson confirmed: "The party has been informed that the Gambling Commission is investigating Nick Mason. While this process continues, he has stepped back from his role with immediate effect."
This development marks the latest twist in a growing scandal that has already ensnared several Conservative figures, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's own parliamentary private secretary, Craig Williams, and Tory candidate Laura Saunders.
Cross-Party Investigations
The Gambling Commission's probe has expanded to examine potential insider betting across political parties. The investigation focuses on whether individuals used confidential information about the election timing to gain an unfair advantage in betting markets.
Labour moved swiftly to address the situation, stating: "We have been clear that any party employee who breached the rules would face the full force of the law and be dismissed. The party has been cooperating with the Gambling Commission throughout their investigation and will continue to do so."
Wider Political Fallout
The scandal has prompted calls for greater transparency and stricter regulations around gambling in political circles. Opposition parties have demanded immediate action to restore public trust in the political process.
As the investigation continues, all eyes remain on how this developing story might impact the final days of campaigning and whether further revelations might emerge from the Gambling Commission's widening probe.
