Ex-Conservative MP to Stand Trial in 2028 Over Gamblegate Allegations

Trial Date Set for Former Sunak Aide in Growing Betting Scandal

Former MP Craig Williams will stand trial in 2028 following his appearance at Southwark Crown Court on July 11 in connection with alleged gambling offences. Williams, who served as an aide to former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, faces charges related to insider betting on the 2024 general election date. He is accused of placing bets on the timing of the election at well-known gambling sites using confidential information. Williams is one of 15 individuals charged in what has become known as the Gamblegate scandal.

Due to the number of defendants, the group has been split into two separate trials. The first is scheduled for September 6, 2027, while the second, which will include Williams, is set for January 3, 2028.

Allegations Rooted in Confidential Campaign Discussions

The charges stem from a wider investigation known as Operation Scott, launched by the UK Gambling Commission. Authorities allege that the accused placed bets or enabled others to do so using confidential information obtained from internal Conservative Party meetings at Downing Street and the party’s campaign headquarters.

Williams is facing one count of cheating at gambling and three counts of assisting others to cheat. If convicted, he and the other defendants could face up to two years in prison under section 42 of the Gambling Act.

Operation Scott Targets Insider Election Bets

The investigation, now in its second year, was prompted by concerns over betting patterns tied to the timing of the 2024 general election. Prosecutors allege that those involved had prior knowledge of the election date, which was not publicly disclosed at the time. The operation has led to a wave of high-profile charges involving current and former Conservative Party members.

An application to dismiss the charges will be heard at Southwark Crown Court on January 19, 2026.

Pleadings and Proceedings

During earlier hearings, twelve of the fifteen accused indicated not guilty pleas, including former Senedd member Russell George and suspended Welsh Conservative director Thomas James. Williams, along with two others, retired police officer Jeremy Hunt and Jacob Willmer, has yet to enter a plea.

Among those expected to testify is former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who has provided a witness statement confirming that the election was intended for the second half of 2024, but without specifying a date.

Timeline and Political Fallout

The allegations have surfaced in the aftermath of the July 2024 general election, in which several of the defendants lost their political positions. Williams previously held seats for both Cardiff North and Montgomeryshire and served as Sunak’s parliamentary private secretary from 2022 to 2024.

Public reaction to the case has been mixed, with calls for greater scrutiny of political conduct and insider access. The extended trial schedule, now stretching into 2028, has drawn criticism for delays in addressing serious breaches of electoral integrity.

What’s Next

If the charges proceed following the January 2026 hearing, Williams and his co-defendants will face a lengthy court process stretching into the final months of the decade. The outcome could set a precedent for how the UK legal system handles gambling-related misconduct within political circles. Until then, the case remains under close watch, with the first trial scheduled to begin in just over two years.