Top Tory probed after ‘staking dozens of bets worth up to £100 on election’

A TORY official is the latest to be probed by the Gambling Commission over claims that bets were placed on the timing of the election. 

Chief data officer Nick Mason is reported to have staked dozens of bets, each worth up to £100.

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He was told he was part of the probe before the party announced he had taken a leave of absence when approached by The Sunday Times.

Cheating on bets is a criminal offence with a possible jail term of up to two years. 

A spokesman for Mr Mason said it was inappropriate to comment, but  denied wrongdoing. 

The Tories’ director of campaigns Tony Lee and his wife,  Laura Saunders, are also being probed — as is the PM’s parliamentary private secretary Craig Williams.

A close protection officer of Mr Sunak faces a similar allegation.