The Leader of the Opposition, Sir Keir Starmer, has accused Chancellor Rishi Sunak of being “bullied” into taking action on the gambling scandal that has rocked the UK in recent weeks. The comments come as the Metropolitan Police announced that they are investigating a “small number of cases” related to the scandal.
The scandal, which erupted after a series of reports exposed the cozy relationship between the gambling industry and government officials, has led to widespread outrage and calls for accountability. In response, Sunak announced a series of measures aimed at cracking down on the industry, including a ban on gambling advertisements during live sporting events and tighter regulations on online gambling.
However, Starmer has criticized Sunak for being slow to act, suggesting that he was only forced into action because of public pressure. “It’s clear that Rishi Sunak was bullied into taking action on the gambling scandal. He should have acted sooner to protect vulnerable people from the harms of gambling,” Starmer said in a statement.
The comments have sparked a heated debate in Parliament, with Conservative MPs accusing Starmer of playing politics with a serious issue. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police have confirmed that they are investigating a “small number of cases” related to the scandal, although they have not provided any further details.
The news of the police investigation has only added to the pressure on government officials to take action. The Gambling Commission has also launched its own investigation into the scandal, and has promised to hold those responsible to account.
As the scandal continues to unfold, it is clear that the gambling industry is facing a reckoning. With the police investigation ongoing and public outrage growing, it remains to be seen how far-reaching the consequences of the scandal will be. One thing is certain – the pressure is on for government officials to take decisive action to protect vulnerable people from the harms of gambling.