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The Metropolitan Police have dropped their investigation into gambling on the date of the general election, saying the standard for misconduct in public office had not been met.

The investigation was launched after it emerged that senior Conservative Party officials and one of Rishi Sunak’s advisers had placed bets shortly before the election date was announced. The allegations were a major issue during the Conservative Party’s June election campaign.

The Conservatives eventually withdrew their support for Sunak’s former parliamentary private secretary, Craig Williams, as their candidate for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, along with Laura Saunders, the candidate for Bristol North West, who was also said to have placed a bet.

Ms Saunders’ husband, Conservative campaign manager Tony Lee, and the Conservative Party’s chief data officer, Nick Mason, took leave during the campaign after being caught up in the scandal. Senedd member Russell George resigned from the shadow cabinet in the Welsh parliament after being investigated.

In a statement on Friday, police said the “high bar” for proving misconduct in public office had not been met, following advice from the Crown Prosecution Service.

Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin said: “These allegations have caused a significant dent in public confidence during the election campaign and it was right that they were investigated to identify any potential wrongdoing.

“While our involvement in the criminal investigation has now ended, it is important that this is not misinterpreted as a ‘safe haven’ for those whose cases have been reviewed.

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

A separate investigation was launched by the Gambling Commission to see if their actions breached the laws on “cheating”. The investigation is still ongoing and could still lead to criminal charges.

Meanwhile, the Met Police’s Directorate of Professional Standards continues to investigate seven officers suspected of placing bets on the election date.

Gambling Commission chief executive Andrew Rhodes said his organisation had already questioned “several suspects” under reserve and was continuing to speak to witnesses and collect documentary and electronic evidence.

He said: “We are clearly aware that there is such a high level of public interest in this investigation, but in order to protect the integrity of the investigation and ensure a fair and just outcome, we are unable to make any further statements at this time, including the name of any person who may be a suspect, or the total number of suspects.”

Mr Williams admitted in June that he had had second thoughts shortly before the election date was announced, later telling the BBC he had “clearly made a huge error of judgement”.

More to come…