Craig Williams, a former conservative UK lawmaker, was charged along with 14 others last week with using insider information to bet on when then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak would call for an election in the nation.

Other staffers in the Conservative Party that controlled the UK government at the time plus least one of the prime minister’s police bodyguards were also investigated in the scandal.

It's not illegal to bet on elections in the UK, but using insider information is illegal. Betting on the date of the election was a popular wager at the time.

Sunak was expected to call for the election in the fall, but did so in July instead. That turned out to be a bad idea; conservatives were soundly defeated by the Labour Party for the first time in 14 years.

"Error of judgment"

Williams was Sunak´s parliamentary private secretary and was running for re-election.

He admitted that he placed a 100-pound ($131) bet on the July election date just days before it was announced.

“I committed an error of judgment, not an offense, and I want to reiterate my apology directly to you,” he said on video in a social media post.

He lost the election, finishing in third place.

In fact, the scandal was a major factor in the Tories' losses.

Former chief data officer for the Tories Nick Mason was also charged, as well as Welsh parliamentarian Russell George and candidate Laura Saunders, who also lost.

"Cooperating fully"

The Conservative Party suspended those charged in the scandal, saying that it valued integrity.

"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," a spokesperson said.

The Gambling Commission, which announced the charges Monday, said, "The Commission is committed to upholding the law and will continue to take robust action against illegal betting practices, including investigating and prosecuting offences."

Those charged will appear in court on June 13, the commission said.