The Conservative Party's former director of campaigning, Anthony Lee, has admitted cheating at gambling by betting on the date of the 2024 general election and passing confidential information to his wife so she could bet too. Lee and his wife Laura, who stood as the Tory candidate for Bristol North West, appeared at Southwark Crown Court via videolink and are among 15 people charged following a Gambling Commission investigation into election betting during Rishi Sunak's final months as Prime Minister.

Laura Lee, formerly head of international at Conservative Party HQ, admitted placing bets based on inside information between 10 March and 21 May 2024. They join former Tory MP Craig Williams, who admitted a similar offence in June, and Amy Hind, wife of a former deputy digital director, who also pleaded guilty after placing multiple bets, including a successful £100 wager at 11-1 odds. Twelve other defendants, including former royal protection officer Jeremy Hunt, deny the charges, with the first trial due to begin on 6 September 2027; all defendants remain on unconditional bail.