Among the defendants are Anthony Lee, a former Conservative campaign director, and his wife, Laura Saunders, who ran unsuccessfully for a parliamentary seat.

The other individuals charged include a former police officer and a variety of persons aged between 34 and 55.

All 15 charged individuals, including notable figures such as Russell George and Laura Saunders, are scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on June 13, 2025.

The investigation involved members of the Conservative Party and at least one of Sunak's police bodyguards, who were believed to have cashed in on this insider knowledge.

The investigation focuses on allegations that these individuals used insider information regarding the election date that then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak would announce.

The charges were revealed by the Gambling Commission following an investigation into betting activities linked to the Conservative Party.

Labour has demanded that any Conservatives found guilty of betting misconduct must be expelled from the party, while the Tories emphasize the importance of integrity in politics.

Craig Williams, a former Conservative lawmaker, along with 14 others, has been charged with cheating for placing bets on the timing of Britain's general election held on July 4, 2024.

Williams acknowledged making a 'huge error of judgement' when questioned about whether he had insider information on the election date.

In response to the charges, the Conservative Party announced the immediate suspension of all members involved and expressed their willingness to cooperate fully with the Gambling Commission's investigation.

The scandal arose from Sunak's unexpected decision to call for an early national ballot, which became a contentious issue during the Conservative Party's campaign in the summer of 2024.

The Gambling Commission is investigating potential misuse of confidential information regarding election dates, which violates the Gambling Act 2005.