Former Tory campaign chief and wife sentenced over election bets

Anthony Lee, the Conservatives’ former director of campaigning, has been given a suspended prison sentence after admitting to cheating at gambling by betting on the date of the 2024 general election. His wife, Laura, and former party employee Amy Hind also received suspended sentences at Southwark Crown Court.

Lee was sentenced to 10 months and two weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. Laura Lee received four months and two weeks, suspended for a year, and Hind was sentenced to six months, also suspended for a year.

The court heard that Anthony Lee used inside information from a private meeting called by then-prime minister Rishi Sunak to place bets months before the election. The Lees stood to win more than £23,000 had their cheating not been uncovered, the court heard.

Sunak held the meeting at Downing Street on 10 March 2024 to discuss possible election dates. Neither Lee attended, but the court heard the couple began betting online on an election in July or between July and September. Anthony Lee placed or attempted 71 bets; his wife placed eight and tried to place another.

Prosecutor Zoe Johnson said the “overwhelming inference” was that Anthony Lee was receiving inside information as the meeting took place. His barrister, Richard Pratt, said Lee did not know the election date for certain and argued that it remained possible Sunak could change his mind.

Judge Tony Baumgartner said the defendants’ conduct risked undermining public confidence in the Conservative Party, trust in the democratic process and the integrity of gambling. He described Anthony Lee as a central figure in election preparations at Conservative headquarters.

The judge said Laura Lee had no role in election planning and that her access to information came predominantly from her husband. She had worked for the party as its head of international affairs and had been selected as its candidate for Bristol North West.

Hind, a former Conservative employee who was working as an NHS business support manager, placed four bets and made three unsuccessful attempts, the court heard. The judge said her betting was a clear departure from her previous history. Her husband worked as a deputy digital director for the Conservatives but did not place bets himself; the judge said he was party to election-related emails and could have been one source of her information.

All three were described in court as people of good previous character who had expressed remorse. They are barred from using online gambling sites or apps for 12 months. Anthony Lee was also ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and pay more than £6,600 in compensation; Laura Lee must complete 40 hours and pay £4,265. Hind was ordered to complete 50 hours of unpaid work.

The three were among several people charged with betting offences by the Gambling Commission. Former Conservative MP Craig Williams, a close parliamentary aide to Sunak at the time, pleaded guilty in June and is awaiting sentence. Trials of other defendants are due in 2027 and 2028.

Katharine Diamond, the Gambling Commission’s general counsel, said “justice has been served” and called the case a first of its kind.