Election latest: Labour to return £100,000 in donations after joining Tories in election gambling scandal (2024)

Campaigns can change things.

When Rishi Sunak decided to call an early election when he was 20 points behind in the polls, I'm sure that's the argument he and those around him were making.

And usually, as an election approaches, the polls narrow in favour of the governing party.

But that is not the overall narrative of this campaign.

There are two big clues we have about the way a campaign is going.

The first is the polls, the second is the seats each party is visiting.

Rishi Sunak was in true blue Chelsea yesterday, a Tory seat with a majority topping 10,000.

He's visited eight seats with Conservative majorities of over 20,000, and The Guardian reports the party has been re-routing resources to defend three seats held by ministers with similarly huge advantages.

As for Labour, analysis from the Financial Times says they're directing activists away from Lib Dem target seats.

That implies both parties are focusing on unseating Conservatives rather than taking votes off each other.

This is the business end of the campaign - and organisation matters.

Our weeknight politics showPolitics Hub With Sophy Ridgeis live now on Sky News.

The fast-paced programme dissects the inner workings of Westminster, with interviews, insights, and analysis - bringing you, the audience, into the corridors of power.

Sophy will be joined tonight byPlaid Cymru's Rhun ap Iorwerthfor her latest interview with party leaders ahead of the election.

Also on the show isTory peer Baroness Nicky Morgan, the former education and culture secretary.

On Sophy's panel tonight are:

• Tim Loughton, former Conservative MP;
• Andrew Fisher, former head of policy for Jeremy Corbyn.

Watch live on Sky News, in the stream at the top of this page, and follow live updates here in the Politics Hub.

WatchPolitics Hub With Sophy Ridgefrom Monday to Thursday on Sky channel 501, Virgin channel 602, Freeview channel 233, on theSky News websiteandappor onYouTube.

Amid a flurry of betting revelations surrounding the election, a former minister has admitted putting money on the result of the 2016 EU referendum.

Ex-Brexit secretary David Davis claimed there were "times when it's appropriate enough" to gamble.

He told BBC Radio 4 he bet on that vote eight years ago because he was "annoyed that people said we were going to lose".

Mr Davis said his vote "wasn't improper", but said the allegations surrounding this election would likely be "terminal" for the careers of those implicated.

The Tories have suspended two candidates - Craig Williams and Laura Sanders - for betting on the date of the election, while Labour have suspended candidate Kevin Craig for betting against himself.

Kevin Craig has apologised for the "huge mistake" he made in betting against himself to win the seat in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich.

The Labour candidate has been suspended from the party pending an investigation.

In a statement posted on social media, Mr Craig explained that he has "enjoyed the odd bet for fun whether on politics or horses" throughout his life.

He adds: "A few weeks ago when I thought I would never win this seat I put a bet on the Tories to win here with the intention of giving any winnings to local charities.

"While I did not place this bet with any prior knowledge of the outcome, this was a huge mistake, for which I apologise unreservedly.

"I have so much respect for how Keir Starmer has changed the Labour Party and I have been fighting so hard to win this seat and change the country alongside him.

"However, it is right that the party upholds the highest standards for its parliamentary candidates - just as the public expects the highest standards from any party hoping to serve in government."

The other candidates in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich are:

• Charlie Caiger, independent;
• Tony Gould, Reform UK;
• Mike Hallatt, independent;
• Brett Alistair Mickelburgh, Lib Dems;
• Dan Pratt, Greens;
• Patrick Spencer, Conservatives.

A car has crashed into the barriers at the entrance of the prime minister's country residence.

Police are investigating after the incident at Chequers in Aylesbury earlier today - and the driver has been arrested.

He is a 44-year-old man from Buckinghamshire, and has been taken to hospital with serious injuries.

He's been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and drink-driving.

He was the only occupant of the vehicle, a white Volkswagen Scirocco.

Thames Valley Police said officers are "in the very early stages" of their investigation, but "there is currently no evidence to suggest there was any intention to harm anyone".

Our weeknight politics showPolitics Hub With Sophy Ridgewill be live on Sky News from 7pm.

The fast-paced programme dissects the inner workings of Westminster, with interviews, insights, and analysis - bringing you, the audience, into the corridors of power.

Sophy will be joined tonight by Plaid Cymru's Rhun ap Iorwerth for her latest interview with party leaders ahead of the election.

Also on the show is Tory peer Baroness Nicky Morgan, the former education and culture secretary.

On Sophy's panel tonight are:

• Tim Loughton, former Conservative MP;
• Andrew Fisher, former head of policy for Jeremy Corbyn.
  

Watch live on Sky News, in the stream at the top of this page, and follow live updates here in the Politics Hub.

WatchPolitics Hubfrom 7pm every night during the election campaign on Sky channel 501, Virgin channel 602, Freeview channel 233, on theSky News websiteandappor onYouTube.

Labour will return the £100,000 Kevin Craig has donated to the party under Keir Starmer's leadership, Sky News understands.

It comes after he was suspended as the party's candidate for the constituency of Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, having been placed under investigation by the Gambling Commission.

Sky News understands Mr Craig placed a bet that he would lose the contest next Thursday (see 17.07 post).

The other candidates in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich are:

• Charlie Caiger, independent;
• Tony Gould, Reform UK;
• Mike Hallatt, independent;
• Brett Alistair Mickelburgh, Lib Dems;
• Dan Pratt, Greens;
• Patrick Spencer, Conservatives.

Labour has suspended a parliamentary candidate after being told the Gambling Commission has launched an investigation into them, a party spokeswoman has said.

Kevin Craig, the candidate for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, has been suspended from the party pending an investigation.

It comes in the midst of a scandal over informed betting on the date of the election, with the Conservatives today withdrawing support for two candidates.

However, Sky News understands Mr Craig put a bet on the outcome of his seat - that he would lose - rather than the date of the election.

He is also understood to be the CEO of communications agency PLMR, which runs the Responsible Gambling Week initiative.

The seat had previously been held by Tory defector Dan Poulter.

A Labour spokesperson said: "With Keir Starmer as leader, the Labour Party upholds the highest standards for our parliamentary candidates, as the public rightly expects from any party hoping to serve, which is why we have acted immediately in this case."

The other candidates in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich are:

• Charlie Caiger, independent;
• Tony Gould, Reform UK;
• Mike Hallatt, independent;
• Brett Alistair Mickelburgh, Lib Dems;
• Dan Pratt, Greens;
• Patrick Spencer, Conservatives.

It's 5pm - here's your teatime general election bulletin.

Today has had a heavy focus on the Conservative betting scandal - but there's been plenty more for us to sink our teeth into.

• The Conservatives have announced they will no longer be supporting the two candidates being investigated over placing bets on the election date;
• Laura Saunders and Craig Williams will still appear in on their respective ballots - but won't be supported by the party;
• Mr Williams has since shared a video statement, claiming he "committed an error of judgement, not an offence" and insisting: "I intend to clear my name";
• Meanwhile, a war of words has erupted between women's minister Kemi Badenoch and Doctor Who actor David Tennant. The actor had said he wished Ms Badenoch would "shut up" while accepting an accolade at the British LGBT Awards;
• In response, the minister said: "I will not be silenced by men who prioritise applause from Stonewall over the safety of women and girls."

• Labour, meanwhile, has announced plans to tackle knife crime;
• Sir Keir appeared at an event with actor Idris Elba as they discussed introducing a long-term strategy to tackle the issue;
• Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper has taken part in an hour-long debate with Conservative Home Secretary James Cleverly, taking in both legal and illegal migration;
• The minister said he does not "envisage" a Tory government leaving the European Court of Human Rights, despite the PM's threats to do so;
• And Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has opened up about looking after his disabled son in an interview with Beth Rigby.

Don't forget, Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge is back tonight at 7pm.

And if you're heading home from work, you might also be interested intoday's Electoral Dysfunction, all about that photo of Sir Keir and his wife enjoying a Taylor Swift concert at Wembley.

Wales is a Labour heartland, but it's clearly in the sights of other parties during this election campaign.

Reform UK even launched its manifesto in a town in the south of the country, Merthyr Tydfil.

Although Wales has its own parliament and makes most of its own decisions, they still elect MPs who stand in Westminster.

Sky's Wales reporter Tomos Evans explains how the cost of living, steel industry and nuclear energy will be key issues for voters.