Craig Williams “will be on the ballot paper” says Electoral Commission

As pressure mounts on Conservative candidate Craig Williams following his admission to being investigated by the Gambling Commission last night, the Electoral Commission has confirmed his name will remain on the ballot paper whatever the probe’s outcome.

Mr Williams, the Montgomeryshire MP for the past five years, is under-fire after admitting to placing a £100 bet on a July date for the General Election, just three days before it was officially confirmed by his close ally, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

It has brought widespread criticism from his local political rivals, and calls for him to resign have been made.

We have asked the Welsh Conservatives for an update on the situation this morning, but in the meantime, The Electoral Commission, Wales, spokesperson clarified that a new name cannot be added to represent the party: “As the close of nominations has passed, Craig Williams will be on the ballot paper and remain a candidate regardless of the investigation.”

Senior local Conservatives are believed to be meeting today in response to the scandal, with one telling us that it “caught us all totally by surprise”.

The story was broken by The Guardian and Mr Williams responded by saying he would be fully co-operating with what he described as “routine enquiries”.

He added in his statement: “I don’t want it to be a distraction to the campaign. I should have thought through how it looks.”

The candidates (in no particular order):

Plaid Cymru: Elwyn Vaughan

Labour: Steve Witherden

Liberal Democrats: Glyn Preston

Reform UK: Oliver Lewis

Conservatives: Craig Williams

Green Party: Jeremy Brignell-Thorp