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Election betting scandal: Met Police ends investigation
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Election betting scandal: Met Police ends investigation

The Metropolitan Police have closed their investigation into the general election betting scandal.

The crimes investigated did not meet the “high standard” to prove misconduct in public office, police said Friday.

The Gambling Commission is still investigating possible breaches of the Gambling Act.

Police also said no further action would be taken against an officer of the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command, who was arrested in June on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Earlier this year, politicians and police officers were investigated after it was alleged they used insider information to place bets on the date of the general election.

The Gambling Commission has launched an investigation into suspected cheating under Section 42 of the Gambling Act.

However, the Met Police did investigate a “small number of cases” where other offences, such as misconduct in public office, were alleged to have occurred.

Police said on Friday that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had said evidence gathered during the investigation did not meet the “high standard” for proving misconduct in public office.

This means that the Met will no longer be involved in the investigation into the gambling scandal.

However, the Gambling Commission will continue its investigation into whether confidential information “was used to gain an unfair advantage in betting on the date of the general election”, the regulator’s chief executive Andrew Rhodes said.

The Gambling Commission continues to gather evidence and interview witnesses as part of the criminal investigation, Mr Rhodes added.

“While our involvement in the criminal investigation has now ended, it is important that this is not misinterpreted as a sign that things are safe for those who were looked at,” said Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin.

“There are still violations of the Gambling Act that need to be investigated and it is appropriate that these are dealt with by investigators from the Gaming Commission who have specific expertise in this area.

“Seven police officers accused of placing bets remain among those under investigation by the Gambling Commission. They also remain under investigation by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards.”