On September 11, 2026, the former Head of Campaigning of the Conservative Party of the UK, Anthony Lee, and his wife Laura Lee pleaded guilty to betting on the 2024 General Election date.
Laura Lee, who was also the party’s Head of International at the time of the cheating offense, admitted to placing bets on the election date using confidential information, as Anthony had access to sensitive discussions at Conservative Campaign Headquarters about when the election would be called, and passed the information to Laura.
The UK Gambling Commission announced the pleas, stating that the couple would be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on October 23, 2026, alongside staffer Amy Hind, who is also charged with the same offenses. Additionally, ex-UK MP Craig Williams admitted guilt in the election betting case as well.
The UKGC shared:
“This was not a market to be abused by those with inside information as to when the election would be held. Anthony Lee was the Conservative Party’s Director of Campaigning. As a result of his senior role, Anthony Lee was party to highly sensitive discussions about the timing of the General Election, held at Conservative Campaign Headquarters and involving senior party staff. Instead of keeping this information confidential, Anthony Lee used it to place bets and passed it on to his wife. Laura Lee placed bets on the 2024 General Election with the benefit of confidential information passed to her by her husband about when that election would be called.”
According to the investigation, Anthony placed more than 60 bets totalling £1,549, and Laura placed 8 bets worth £535.
