Is the crime that they placed bets at all, or that they’re alleged to have specific insider knowledge? Seems wild that politicians could bet on such a thing even if they legitimately have no information. Even if legal, still wild that they didn’t consider doing so a terrible idea.
The article doesn’t quite define the crime and it seems phenomenally stupid to just illegally bet. Or legally. All of it seems stupid.
Of course, we have our own issues in the US Congress with insider trading, but this seems even dumber.
The illegal bets were the ones by the politicians, aides AND police officers on the date of the election when they were around the Prime Minister when he and his circle decided. They were trading on insider information when gambling which is illegal (the police officers will likely get fired).
The legal bets (but obviously monumentally stupid) were the ones on whether or not the MP in question would lose his/her seat. They were basically betting on their own demise.
And we are not talking big money bets either. Just a couple of hundred pounds.
I am still trying to digest why on earth someone would torpedo their life & career like this for only a few thousand pounds in possible winnings.
Looks like Labour and the Tories are losing a bit of vote share to Reform and the LDs. This will likely continue due to the betting scandal (that involved Labour and the Tories).
The Tories are now in real danger of being overtaken by the LDs as the party in opposition.
As predicted. Fuck with the majority of citizens and you will get fucked.
Started with Brexit. Sold to the average Joe as the solution to all their problems, ended up hurting too many of them, as was predicted by experts and ignored by people who could not be convinced by experts.
The BBC News tv broadcast coverage of election results is my background noise this evening.
I feel a little sorry for the talking heads. They’re going to be doing this coverage all night (it’s almost 2am BST as I type this)… and while the lack of commercials is refreshing to this American viewer, the talking heads aren’t getting a break, except when they cut away to a delcaration of results.
