Rishi Sunak has pledged to expel anyone from the Conservative Party found guilty of placing bets on the election date, following a series of serious allegations.

Expressing his frustration, Sunak described the accusations as "really serious" and said he was "incredibly angry" to learn that some Tory candidates might have engaged in such activities. Speaking on the BBC Question Time leader's special, the prime minister emphasized the need for law enforcement to investigate the matter thoroughly. He stated, "It's right they're being investigated by relevant law enforcement, and I am crystal clear that if anyone has broken the rules, they should face the full force of the law."

When asked why those under suspicion hadn't been suspended, Sunak explained that an investigation needed to occur first, but assured that anyone found guilty would be expelled from the party.

In the latest election updates, an audience reacted with "shame" during a recent TV debate.

Laura Saunders, the candidate for Bristol North West, and her husband, Tony Lee, the campaign director, are being investigated by the Gambling Commission. Saunders has stated she will cooperate with the investigation, while Lee took a leave of absence from his role on Wednesday night, according to a Conservative Party spokesperson.

This follows an admission from Craig Williams, the Tory candidate for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr and a close parliamentary aide to the prime minister. Williams acknowledged placing a small bet on the election, leading to "some routine inquiries" with which he is fully cooperating. Photo by Simon Walker / HM Treasury, Wikimedia commons.