Rishi Sunak’s close protection officer sensationally arrested over ‘election date bet’

ONE of Rishi Sunak’s close protection police officers has been suspended and arrested for allegedly placing a bet on the election date.

The unnamed cop from the Met’s royalty and specialist protection command was taken into custody and bailed.

Scotland Yard was contacted by the Gambling Commission last Friday over their investigation into alleged bets, the BBC reported.

He was then arrested on Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, while also being referred to the police watchdog. He has been suspended by the Met. 

In May, the PM blindsided the country by calling an early election for July 4 having been widely expected to hold out until the autumn.

His close aide Craig Williams is also under probe by the Gambling Commission for making a £100 bet on an early election.

A Met spokesman said: “We can confirm that on Friday, 14 June, the Met were contacted by the Gambling Commission who informed us that they were investigating alleged bets made by a police constable from the Met’s Royalty and Specialist Protection Command, which were related to the timing of the General Election.

“The matter was immediately referred to officers in the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards, who opened an investigation, and the officer was also removed from operational duties.

“The officer was subsequently arrested on Monday 17 June on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was taken into custody and bailed pending further enquiries. The matter has also been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

“The Gambling Commission continues to lead the investigation into the alleged betting offences, and our investigation is running in parallel to that.”