“This government will have integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level.” – Rishi Sunak on being appointed PM

It looks like Partygate all over again – Owl

Harry Yorke, Caroline Wheeler, Gabriel Pogrund www.thetimes.com (Extract)

A senior Conservative official is being investigated by the Gambling Commission over allegations he placed dozens of bets on the timing of the election before it was announced publicly.

Nick Mason, the Tories’ chief data officer, has been informed by the watchdog that he is part of the inquiry. After being approached for comment, the Conservative Party confirmed he has taken a leave of absence.

He is the fourth Tory to be named since the controversy first erupted, with a police officer who was part of Rishi Sunak’s close protection team also under investigation.

[There is a moral in this image – never mess with an Owl]

Mason allegedly placed small bets each worth less than £100, but would have stood to win thousands of pounds based on the odds

In an interview with the Sunday Times, Michael Gove, the outgoing levelling up secretary, likens the controversy to the partygate scandal that dogged Boris Johnson’s premiership.

“It looks like one rule for them and one rule for us,” the Tory cabinet minister, who is not standing again at the election, told the Sunday Times.