Keir Starmer has suspended Labour's Central Suffolk and North Ipswich candidate Kevin Craig after learning he is under investigation by the Gambling Commission. It is being reported (see Pippa Crerar's posts below) that Mr Craig is under investigation for betting against himself in the forthcoming general election.
It is understood that Keir Starmer will be returning £100,000 that Kevin Craig had donated to the party under his leadership. It is also understood that shadow health secretary Wes Streeting will return £13,000 donated to him for staffing costs.
Peston posted the breaking news to X/Twitter:
Starmer’s ruthlessness is something to behold. He learns one of his candidates is under investigation for an election bet and he’s suspended straight away. If I were to place a bet it would be that Starmer will now pledge to outlaw all political betting by MPs.
Pippa Crerar also posted breaking news revealing that Labour candidate Kevin Craig had placed a bet against himself winning the Central Suffolk and North Ipswich seat:
BREAKING: Labour has suspended Central Suffolk and North Ipswich candidate Kevin Craig after Gambling Commission launched investigation.
Ms Crerar then continued in further tweets:
But Labour candidate Kevin Craig is understood to be under investigation for betting *against himself* at the general election.... rather than the date of the election.
Labour is understood to be returning the £100,000 that Kevin Craig had donated to the party under Keir Starmer’s leadership, while shadow health secretary Wes Streeting is returning £13,000 donated for staffing costs.
https://twitter.com/Peston/status/1805642547504758954
https://twitter.com/PippaCrerar/status/1805636944019313132
