WELSH CONSERVATIVE Member of the Senedd, Russell George, has been suspended from the party’s group in Cardiff Bay after being charged with gambling-related offences.
In a statement issued on Monday morning (Apr 14), the leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Darren Millar MS, said: “Having been informed that Russell George MS has been charged with gambling related offences, I have taken the decision to suspend him from the Welsh Conservative Group in the Senedd.
“The suspension is a neutral act pending the outcome of the justice process.
“There will be no further comment at this time.”
Mr George, who has represented Montgomeryshire in the Senedd since 2011, previously stepped back from the Welsh Conservative shadow cabinet in 2024 after it emerged he was under investigation by the Gambling Commission over alleged bets on the timing of the next UK General Election.
At the time, Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies confirmed that Mr George had received a letter from the Gambling Commission and said: “Russell George has stepped back from the Welsh Conservative shadow cabinet while these investigations are ongoing.
“All other members of the Welsh Conservative Group have confirmed that they have not placed any bets.”
Mr George also issued a public statement in 2024, saying: “Whilst I will cooperate fully with the Gambling Commission, it would not be appropriate to comment on this independent and confidential process.
“I have stepped back from the Shadow Cabinet while the investigation is ongoing. I have done this as I do not wish to be an unnecessary distraction to their work.”
The latest development marks a significant escalation, with the Gambling Commission’s investigation apparently resulting in formal charges.
No further details of the specific charges have yet been released, and it is not known when Mr George is due to appear in court.
Mr George’s constituency, Montgomeryshire, has also been in the spotlight recently after Craig Williams—formerly the area’s MP—was himself investigated for placing bets on the date of the General Election. Mr Williams had the Conservative whip withdrawn in Westminster as a result.
Ellie Reeves MP, Chair of the Labour Party, commenting on the Gambling Commission charging 15 people, including Russell George, Member of the Senedd for Montgomeryshire, and Craig Williams, former MP for Montgomeryshire, with offences relating to betting on the General Election, said: “This is a very serious development. The British people will expect that anyone found guilty of wrongdoing faces the full force of the law.
“Kemi Badenoch must make crystal clear that anyone found guilty of using insider information to cheat the system to try to enrich themselves has no place in the Conservative Party. No ifs, no buts.
“Labour is turning the page on 14 years of Conservative chaos and scandal and we’re turning our country round through our Plan for Change. Only Labour can be trusted to deliver security for working people and the renewal Britain needs.”
The Herald will provide updates as the case develops.
