Good evening. Josh here to guide you though today’s news.
Data reveals a flood of bets were placed on a July election on the day before one was announced by Rishi Sunak.
Coincidentally, the Conservative Party’s director of campaigning has taken a “leave of absence” while he is investigated over an alleged bet on the date of the general election.
Plus: Follow the latest from England vs Denmark.
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Huge spike in bets on day before Sunak announced election
Analysis of data provided by bookmakers showed that almost all the wagers on a July poll – totalling thousands of pounds – were made in a few hours on May 21. At just after 5.15pm the next day, Mr Sunak announced the surprise summer election – full story.
Meanwhile, a former Conservative Party leader has said Tories who are being investigated over allegations of betting on the date of the general election are “incredibly stupid and venal” – follow live updates.
- Election | Truss to blame if Tories lose, suggests Gove
- Markets | Bank accused of ‘political decision’ to hold rates
- Reform | Candidate criticises ‘benefit scrounger’ Royal family
- Money | Rate cuts on hold again – how your mortgage and savings will be affected
- Take the test | Who should I vote for in the general election? (And see how other readers voted)
Conservative campaigning director takes ‘leave of absence’ amid election gambling probe
A Tory source has confirmed that Tony Lee is taking break from his role. It had earlier emerged that his wife, Laura Saunders, was facing an inquiry by the Gambling Commission. Ms Saunders, a Tory candidate, previously worked at Conservative Party headquarters in central London – read the full story.
Who do you think will win the general election? Email us here to share your thoughts and you could be included in a future edition of Front Page.
Hjulmand goal cancels out Kane’s opener
England face a Denmark side who they haven’t beaten in 90 minutes in their last three encounters, follow our live blog here.
Earlier, a last-second Luka Jovic equaliser for Serbia denied Slovenia victory, Sam Dean has the full report.
Evening Briefing: Today’s essential headlines
Money | Over a million homeowners will pay hundreds of pounds a year more on their mortgages after the Bank of England held interest rates for the seventh consecutive time.
- Netherlands | Mark Rutte to become head of Nato
- IDF | Tragic suicide leaves Israel at breaking point
- Russia | Hackers demand £40m ransom from NHS
- Pictured | Angler catches Britain’s biggest freshwater eel
- Watch | Putin and Kim Jong-un share a laugh on ‘carpool karaoke’ drive
Watch: Just Stop Oil targets Taylor Swift’s jet — and fails to find it
The stunt comes a day after two protesters sprayed orange powder over Stonehenge.
Comment and analysis
- Liam Fox | Keir Starmer, Corbyn’s old ally, is a threat to national security
- Matthew Lynn | Not even billionaires can endure Starmer’s war on wealth
- Jacob Rees-Mogg | Labour would allow wokery to destroy capitalism
- Con Coughlin | Desperation is making Putin even more dangerous
- Isabel Oakeshott | Lockdown rule-breakers don’t deserve to be treated like criminals
Feature of the day
‘It’s like a travelling circus’: inside the super-rich Ascot auctions
Purchasing thoroughbreds is not for the faint of heart – or the light of wallet.
Editor’s choice
- Health | Sleeping pills ruined my life – and my GP didn’t warn me
- Euro 2024 | I spent the day riding trains around Germany – and it was a nightmare
- Revealed | Britain’s richest family spent more on pet dog than on servants
Sport briefing: Today’s essential headlines
- Royal Ascot 2024 | Latest updates from Ladies Day
- Cricket | How Salt went from unreliable to England ace
- Team GB | Kenny hits out at ‘savage’ former team-mates
- ‘Lizzie’s in a box’ | Scotland fans mock death of late Queen
- Euro 2024 | Serbia threaten to quit tournament over ‘kill the Serb’ chants
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