Ex Conservative campaign chief admits election bet cheating

The Conservative Party's former director of campaigning and his wife have pleaded guilty to cheating at gambling by betting on the date of the 2024 general election using confidential information. Anthony Lee, 49, admitted two offences of cheating at gambling at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, 10 September, while his wife, Laura Lee, formerly known as Laura Saunders, pleaded guilty to one charge, according to the Gambling Commission. Laura Lee, 38, had been the party's head of international affairs at its headquarters and was the chosen parliamentary candidate for Bristol North West at the time of the election. Anthony Lee was responsible for deploying the party's resources in the contest and was involved in sensitive discussions about its timing. The 2024 general election was held on 4 July, but then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak did not publicly announce the date until 22 May 2024. According to the Gambling Commission, significant planning for a 4 July election had already taken place at Downing Street and Conservative Party headquarters before the announcement.