Police End Investigation into Election Betting Scandal

The Metropolitan Police has officially closed its investigation into allegations surrounding the general election betting scandal, stating that the evidence did not meet the necessary threshold to prove misconduct in public office. This announcement was made on Friday, following a review of the evidence collected during the inquiry. The police confirmed that no further action would be taken against an officer from the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command, who had been arrested in connection with the case. The scandal initially emerged when politicians and police officers were accused of using insider information to place bets on the timing of the general election. The Gambling Commission has been conducting its own investigation into potential violations of the Gambling Act, specifically focusing on whether confidential information was exploited for betting advantages. The Commission's Chief Executive, Andrew Rhodes, emphasized that their inquiries would continue despite the Metropolitan Police's withdrawal from the case. Detective Superintendent Katherine Goodwin clarified that the cessation of the police investigation should not be misconstrued as a complete exoneration for those involved. She noted that there are still outstanding Gambling Act offences that require thorough examination by the Gambling Commission, which possesses specialized expertise in this area. Currently, seven police officers remain under investigation by both the Gambling Commission and the Metropolitan Police's Directorate of Professional Standards.