Scots Tory cabinet minister Alister Jack admits placing three general election bets

A Scots Tory cabinet minister has admitted placing three bets on the date of the general election.

Alister Jack said he had broken no rules but admitted he put three wagers on the timing of the July 4 poll.

Jack said he had in April put £20 at odds of 5 to 1 on an election being held between July and September, but that he had no knowledge of when it would be called until the day Rishi Sunak fired the starting gun on May 22.

It came after the BBC reported that he had told the broadcaster he made more than £2,000 from betting on the date, but he later dismissed the comments as a “joke”.

Jack said in a statement on Tuesday evening: "Following reports today I want to be absolutely clear I have not breached any gambling rules.

"I placed two unsuccessful bets on the date of the general election and one successful one.

"I put two bets on in March of £5 each for an election to be held in May and June respectively.

"In April, I put £20 at 5 to 1 on an election being held between July and September.

"I had no knowledge of the date of the election until the day it was called.

"As I have said previously, I placed no bets in May and am not under investigation by the Gambling Commission."

Jack is not standing at the general election and is no longer an MP.

It comes after BBC's Newsnight programme reported that up to 15 Conservative Party officials and candidates are being looked at over bets on the date of the general election.

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