Britain’s embattled ruling party roiled by election-related gambling scandal

CNN - Britain’s governing Conservative Party has been rocked by a gambling scandal in the middle of the campaign for an election that it is expected to lose.

The UK’s PA Media news agency reported on Thursday that Conservative candidate Laura Saunders is facing a gambling watchdog investigation into alleged betting offenses. The BBC reported that Saunders in being investigated for placing a bet on the timing of the general election, which is due to take place on July 4.

Prior to standing as a candidate, Saunders worked for the Conservative Party. UK media outlets also reported that she is married to Tony Lee, the Conservative Party’s director of campaigning. Lee is now taking a leave of absence from his role, with just two weeks until the vote, according to the BBC.

Saunders has declined to comment on the matter. A Conservative spokesperson told CNN in a statement: “We have been contacted by the Gambling Commission about a small number of individuals. As the Gambling Commission is an independent body, it wouldn’t be proper to comment further, until any process is concluded.”