Sir Keir Starmer accused Rishi Sunak of being “bullied into action” over the election gambling scandal, following a question about politicians’ “lack of integrity and honesty” in the final TV debate.
As the debate in Nottingham came to an end, the Metropolitan Police released a statement saying it was taking on a “small number of cases” to assess whether some of those involved had committed misconduct in public office. The Gaming Commission will continue to investigate alleged violations of the Gaming Law, it said.
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The first audience member to grill the two leaders in the BBC debate said allegations of election betting had left many “dismayed”.
Sir Keir compared the scandal to ‘partygate’, saying: “You need to lead from the front on issues like this.
“When someone on my team was accused of being involved and investigated by the Gambling Commission, they were suspended within minutes because I knew it was very important to be quick.
“The prime minister delayed and delayed and delayed until finally he was intimidated into action.”
Sunak responded: “It was important to me that, given the seriousness and sensitivity of the matters at hand, they were dealt with appropriately, and that is what I did.”
He added that he was “furious” and “frustrated” by the allegations.
Police will look into allegations of misconduct in public office
Police responded to reports from The Sun that the force was taking over the entire investigation, saying: “The Met is not taking over the investigation into betting on the timing of the general election.
“The Gambling Commission will continue to lead the investigation in cases where the alleged offense is limited to violations of the Gambling Act only.
“Met detectives will conduct the investigation into a small number of cases to assess whether the alleged offense goes beyond Gambling Act offenses and includes others such as misconduct in public office. We will provide further information tomorrow.”
At least five Conservatives were involved in the scandal, with two candidates suspended for betting, alongside a Labor candidate.
Wednesday’s debate was the last before voters go to the polls on July 4. A Sky News snap poll suggests the public viewed their performance equally.
The first section was somewhat overshadowed by the screams of protesters outside the building.
Referring to the noise, presenter Mishal Husain said the protest, which supported the people of Gaza, was an example of “democracy” and people “expressing their freedom of expression”.
Pro-Palestine protest disrupts debate
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has repeated calls to stop Labor from “handing over” Britain’s public finances and borders over claims it will raise taxes if voted into Downing Street.
Sir Keir made several references to his experience as Director of Public Prosecutions, suggesting that this highlighted his ability to “crush the gangs”, reduce small boat crossings and protect women’s spaces.
Asked about gender recognition certificates for transgender people, both men agreed that same-sex spaces should be defined by “biological sex”. But Sir Keir said he wanted to “stop the issue of always trying to divide people”.
On questions about how to get people back to work, Sunak outlined policies to restrict unemployment benefits after 12 months.
Sir Keir said the answer is to reduce NHS waiting lists to ensure more people with long-term illnesses can re-enter the workforce.
— Are you two really the best we have to be PM?
Public accuses leaders of being ‘mediocre’
One audience member accused the Prime Minister of being “rather mediocre”, while also claiming that Sir Keir is being “pulled around by senior members of the Labor Party”.
In response, the Prime Minister said he “understood” people’s frustrations – with the Conservatives – but also “with me” – imploring people to “think about what a Labor government would mean” for their finances and whether they can afford that.
Sir Keir cited his work with the PSNI on the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland as head of the Crown Prosecution Service and his reform of the Labor Party as proof that he keeps his word.
But he added that “after 14 years of this”, people feel that “hope has been ripped away from them”.
When asked by an audience member who had lost European business since Brexit, the Labor leader promised to “get a better deal” with the EU.
Sunak said, however, that this would mean “freedom of movement through the back door”.
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