A Welsh Conservative who was charged by the Gambling Commission in relation to bets placed on the timing of last year’s general election has said he will step down from his role.
Posting on his own Facebook page, Russell George, who represents Montgomeryshire in the Senedd, said he would be withdrawing his candidacy for next year’s Welsh parliament elections.
George had been suspended from the Welsh Conservatives last week after the charges were made public.
He is among 15 individuals to have been charged by the Gambling Commission following the regulator’s investigation which dated back to June 2024.
George is one of the more high-profile individuals to be caught up in ‘Gamblegate’, alongside Tory MP Craig Williams, who represented the same constituency as George, albeit in Westminster.
Williams, who was the first individual to be named as having placed a bet on the timing of the election, had served as former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s parliamentary private secretary.
The Tories’ chief data officer Nick Mason, its former chief marketing officer Simon Chatfield and former director of campaigning Tony Lee were also charged.
Also charged is Lee’s wife, Laura Saunders, who had stood as a parliamentary candidate at last year’s election for Bristol North West, but lost to Labour’s Darren Jones.
Welsh Conservative director Thomas James was also charged at the start of the month.
Writing on Facebook, George said: “I was shocked and surprised to have been informed by the Gambling Commission that I am facing charges for cheating.
“To be clear, I have never cheated. However, given the Gambling Commission’s decision, and my understanding of what will follow, this is likely to be a lengthy process that may not be resolved by May 2026.
“In the circumstances, I feel I have no alternative but to withdraw my candidacy for next year’s Senedd elections so that I can focus on fighting to clear my name. I will of course continue to serve the people of Montgomeryshire to the very best of my ability.
“I am grateful for the many messages of support that I have received in recent days, particularly from constituents,” he concluded.
There are now 15 Welsh Tories in the Senedd, compared to 30 Labour members and 12 Plaid Cymru members.
The 15 individuals charged with offences under the Gambling Act 2005 are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on 13 June.
The post Welsh Tory charged over election betting to stand down first appeared on EGR Intel.
Russell George, who had the whip removed last week, will not stand for re-election in Montgomeryshire at next year’s Senedd elections as he awaits outcome of charges
The post Welsh Tory charged over election betting to stand down first appeared on EGR Intel.