In the final head-to-head debate before the general election, Labour leader Keir Starmer launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak over the Westminster gambling scandal, accusing him of showing the 'wrong instinct' by placing bets on the future of the country.
Starmer compared the Conservative culture to the cavalier attitude towards Covid rules, saying the instinct to try to make money from betting on the election date was wrong. He highlighted that Labour had suspended its candidate Kevin Craig 'within minutes' after it emerged he had bet against himself, while Sunak took days to act on Conservative candidates.
Sunak defended his record, urging voters not to 'surrender' to Labour's plans on tax and migration, and warned that a Labour government would mean at least £2,000 more in tax per household. Starmer dismissed this as a 'lie', noting that the UK statistics watchdog had warned the Conservatives over the claim.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed it was widening its role in the investigation into bets on the election date, assessing whether offences beyond the Gambling Act, such as misconduct in public office, had occurred. Five Conservative politicians and staffers have been suspended, and six Met officers are also under investigation.
The debate, hosted by the BBC, also saw clashes over the economy, immigration, and leadership qualities, with loud protests heard from the audience.
