Gambling charge Tory quits Senedd re-election bid

A Senedd politician who has been charged with betting offences by the Gambling Commission has quit as a Conservative candidate for the next election.

Russell George is among 15 people facing allegations of cheating related to bets on the timing of the 2024 general election.

The Member of the Senedd (MS) for Montgomeryshire said he had never cheated and was withdrawing from the Tory list for the May 2026 vote to focus on clearing his name.

Senedd Conservative leader Darren Millar withdrew the whip from Mr George last week, meaning he now sits as an independent within the Welsh Parliament.

Others charged include former Conservative MP Craig Williams, who represented the same constituency as Mr George, and Welsh Conservative director Thomas James.

Mr George had been selected to lead the Tory list in the new constituency of Gwynedd Maldwyn days before the announcement from the Gambling Commission was made.

In a Facebook post the MS said he was "shocked and surprised" to have learned he was "facing charges for cheating".

"To be clear, I have never cheated.

"However, given the Gambling Commission's decision, and my understanding of what will follow, this is likely to be a lengthy process that may not be resolved by May 2026.

"In the circumstances, I feel I have no alternative but to withdraw my candidacy for next year's Senedd elections so that I can focus on fighting to clear my name.

"I will of course continue to serve the people of Montgomeryshire to the very best of my ability."

The 15 charged will appear in Westminster Magistrates Court in June.

The party will now have to find a new candidate to lead the list in Gwynedd Maldwyn, with Mr George having benefited from rules giving an advantage to existing MSs in selections.

Welsh Conservative chairman Bernard Gentry declined to comment on Mr George's Facebook post.

He confirmed there would now be an "open selection" in the constituency.

Mr George was one of two Senedd members, including Darren Millar, who missed a vote on the Welsh government's draft budget earlier this year, because they went to the US for a prayer meeting.

He is also a trustee in Darren Millar's Evan Roberts Institute charity.

By Gareth Lewis, BBC Wales Political Editor

This has now hit the Conservatives at two elections, having blown up in the middle of last year's doomed General Election campaign.

The Welsh Conservatives have now lost one of their most experienced politicians for next year's Senedd election too.

The polling for that vote does not look good for the Tories and Russell George would have expected to pick up at least one of the six seats available in the new Gwynedd Maldwyn constituency under the new voting system.

Not only do the Welsh Conservatives now need to name a new lead candidate, but they have also lost a familiar face to some people living there, with Mr George having been a Senedd Member since 2011.

That experience and familiarity could have been a big asset in a race predicted to be tight, especially with that polling looking so gloomy for the Tories.