In a heated final debate before the general election, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer clashed over their responses to the Westminster betting scandal. The scandal involves several Tory politicians and staffers allegedly betting on the election date, leading to a widening investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

During the debate, Starmer launched a fierce attack on the Conservative party’s culture, likening their attitude towards betting on the country’s future to their approach to COVID-19 rules. He accused Sunak and his party of fostering a culture of self-entitlement and personal gain, highlighting the delay in Sunak’s decision to suspend those involved in the scandal. Starmer compared this with Labour’s swift action in suspending a candidate within minutes of his involvement being revealed.

Sunak, on the other hand, urged voters not to surrender to Labour’s plans on tax and migration, emphasizing the profound consequences of the upcoming election. He warned against deciding the election purely based on dissatisfaction with the Conservatives and claimed Labour’s tax policies would cost households an additional £2,000, a claim previously flagged as misleading by the Office for Statistics Regulation.

The debate also saw discussions on broader issues such as the economy, immigration, and the leaders’ prime ministerial qualities. Starmer criticized Sunak’s leadership, comparing him to Liz Truss and predicting similar economic damage. He also accused Sunak of using trans people as a political tool to divide the country, while both leaders agreed on protecting women’s rights to single-sex spaces.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed they are investigating a small number of cases related to the betting scandal to assess whether the alleged offenses extend beyond breaches of the Gambling Act to include misconduct in public office. The Gambling Commission will continue to lead the investigation into cases limited to breaches of the Gambling Act.

The Guardian initially uncovered the gambling scandal, revealing several key figures involved, including Tory campaign director Tony Lee and his wife Laura Saunders, a Tory candidate. Labour’s involvement came to light with the suspension of Kevin Craig, a candidate who bet he would not win his seat.

The debate, hosted by the BBC, featured loud protests from outside the building in Nottingham, reflecting the public’s heightened emotions as the election approaches. Starmer’s criticism of Sunak and his government drew applause from the audience, particularly when addressing the cost of living crisis and the out-of-touch nature of the current leadership.

As the investigation continues, the scandal’s impact on the election remains uncertain, but it has undoubtedly intensified the political battle between the two leaders. Sunak and Starmer’s clash over the betting scandal highlights broader issues of accountability and integrity within UK politics.