The Tories are having a hysterical meltdown as their Director of Campaigning, Tony Lee, “took a leave of absence from Party HQ yesterday” following the Gambling Commission’s confirmation that it is “investigating” his candidate wife for allegedly taking a punt on the election date. Tony Lee has deleted his LinkedIn account in the meantime. It follows the arrest of a police protection officer yesterday and similar allegations against a Tory MP…

Guido reminds co-conspirators that there is no crime committed here, despite the leaking from inside the Gambling Commission. Section 42 definition of “Cheating” as per the Gambling Act applies when you nobble a horse, bribe a croupier or mark cards – not when you have inside information that your bet is a dead certainty. Whilst the optics and ethical dimension of the bets are not good, it still requires interference to be a crime. Gambling industry experts believe the Commission is being over zealous and the investigations will result in individuals being cleared of committing any crimes. Not before the reputational damage is being done in the election campaign…

The PM’s close protection police officer was arrested “under suspicion of misconduct in public office”. Not a Gambling Act offence.

It’s curious to note that everyone investigated so far is a Tory or works for a Tory. Do Labour MPs not bet on the election date? For the Gambling Commission to act so politically is high risk for a public body, who are supposed to maintain studious neutrality during election purdah. Who will guard the guards themselves?