内容摘要：That should enable those firms to start working on new drugs more quickly in any future outbreak.

That should enable those firms to start working on new drugs more quickly in any future outbreak.

Fifteen people including former Conservative MP Craig Williams have been charged with betting offences by the Gambling Commission.The investigation was launched last year following bets placed on the timing of the 2024 general election.

The commission said the investigation focused on individuals "suspected of using confidential information - specifically advance knowledge of the proposed election date - to gain an unfair advantage in betting markets".Before the election was called, Williams was the MP for Montgomeryshire and an aide to then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.The group of those charged includes Russell George, a Member of the Senedd, who has since been suspended from the Welsh Conservative group.

Others charged include Laura Saunders, the former Conservative parliamentary candidate in Bristol North West, and her partner Anthony Lee, a former director of campaigning for the Conservatives.Responding to the charges announced on Monday, a Conservative spokesman said the party "believes that those working in politics must act with integrity".

"Current members of staff who have been charged are being suspended with immediate effect," he said.

"These incidents took place in May last year. Our party is now under new leadership and we are cooperating fully with the Gambling Commission to ensure that their investigation can conclude swiftly and transparently."In early June 2024, it was reported that Williams had placed a bet on the date of the general election.

Approached by the BBC at the time, Williams said he had "clearly made a huge error of judgement that's for sure and I apologise".He refused to comment on whether he knew about the election date when he placed the wager saying it would not be "appropriate" while the Gambling Commission was investigating.

Following the commission's decision to launch an investigation, the Conservative Party pulled its support for Williams and Saunders.Mr Lee and Mason both took leaves of absence from their party roles after the allegations first emerged during the general election campaign.