News / Politics
Conservatives withdraw support for Laura Saunders
After days of speculation, the Conservative hierarchy have withdrawn their support for their candidate in Bristol North West who is currently under investigation by the Gambling Commission.
Laura Saunders’ name will still appear on the ballot papers as the Tory candidate at the general election on July 4 as it is too late to select another candidate.
Saunders is one of two Tories standing for election who have had support for them withdrawn after alleged bets were made on the timing of the election before it was announced by prime minister Rishi Sunak.
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The decision by the Conservative Party means Saunders will not hold the Tory whip even in the unlikely event that she wins in Bristol North West.
Bristol24/7 understands that Saunders has not had her party membership suspended while the inquiry by the Gambling Commission continues.
But online campaign materials for Saunders across various websites and social media platforms have already been swiftly removed.
Saunders is married to the Conservative’s director of campaigning, Tony Lee, who is also being looked into by the Gambling Commission and is on leave from the party.
For the remainder of the general election campaign, both Saunders and Craig Williams, a former MP and candidate for Montgomeryshire & Glyndwr, will not receive the support of the Conservative Party.
Whether she remains a Conservative after the election is to be decided upon the outcome of the Gambling Commission’s investigation.
Regarding the decision, a Conservative spokesperson said: “As a result of ongoing internal enquiries, we have concluded that we can no longer support Craig Williams or Laura Saunders as parliamentary candidates at the forthcoming general election.
“We have checked with the Gambling Commission that this decision does not compromise the investigation that they are conducting, which is rightly independent and ongoing.”
Bristol’s Conservative group leader, Mark Weston, campaigning for Laura Saunders – photo: Mark Weston / Facebook
Jonathan Ashworth, Labour’s shadow paymaster general, said: “It is yet another example of Rishi Sunak’s staggeringly weak leadership that it has taken him nearly two weeks to see what was obvious to everyone else.
“The Conservatives who sought to line their own pockets by betting on the election date are not fit to be candidates for parliament.
“Rishi Sunak now needs to come clean with voters across the country and tell them exactly how many of his Conservatives are implicated and who they are.
“Just as with Partygate and the PPE scandal, the Conservatives believe it is one rule for them, another for everyone else.”
All of the candidates on the ballot paper for Bristol Central are due to take part in Bristol24/7’s hustings at the Bristol Beacon on Monday, July 1. For those unable to attend in person, the event will be livestreamed via the Bristol24/7 YouTube channel from 7pm. If you want to ask a question, please email editor@bristol247.com
Main photo: Laura Saunders
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