Britain’s Conservative Party’s chief data officer, Nick Mason, has taken a leave of absence amidst allegations that party members used insider information to place bets on the date of Britain’s upcoming July 4 national election before it was officially announced.

Several Conservative officials, including election candidates Laura Saunders and Craig Williams, are under investigation by the U.K.’s Gambling Commission for allegedly participating in these bets, which reportedly could yield substantial winnings.

The scandal has escalated with the involvement of Tony Lee, the Conservative director of campaigning, who has also taken a leave of absence amid similar allegations, the Associated Press reported.

The timing of these developments, just weeks before the national election, presents a significant challenge for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party, which is facing heightened scrutiny and public backlash.

Written by B.C. Begley