The betting ‘scandal’ has gone too far

Thomas Macaulay, the 19th-century historian, said there is ‘no spectacle so ridiculous as the British public in one of its periodical fits of morality’. Two hundred years on, the sentiment holds true, as the farce of ‘betgate’ – a stupid name for a stupid scandal – descends into ever greater absurdity.

This is not to say there is nothing serious about a politician using insider knowledge to place a bet. Hoping to cheat the bookmakers like that is a criminal offence, and it is only right that the Gambling Commission investigate anyone, of any political stripe, accused of doing so.

But what began as a genuine concern about those close to Rishi Sunak using potential knowledge of the election date to make a quick buck has ballooned into an unhelpful and unnecessary war on politicians betting altogether. Bored stiffed by this tedious election, confected media outrage has been whipped up against the harmless habit of MPs having a flutter.