An investigation into the Conservative Party’s director of campaigns and his wife, who is a candidate, is underway due to a bet concerning the general election’s date.

Following his Wednesday departure from the campaign, Tony Lee has taken a leave of absence, as revealed by the BBC. The candidate for Bristol North West, his wife Laura Saunders, has been employed by the Conservatives since 2015.

Neither the time nor the amount of the wager are known. The party was “contacted by the Gambling Commission about a small number of individuals,” according to a Tory spokesman.

A letter from Labour’s campaign director to Rishi Sunak detailing the “growing scandal” prompts the Liberal Democrats and Labour to demand Saunders’ suspension. The couple became the third investigation following the bets placed by a Conservative MP and more recently, by Mr Sunak’s own Personal Security officer.

In a two-hour Question Time Leaders’ Special, the leaders of the Labour Party, the Conservatives, the Scottish National Party, and the Liberal Democrats will all address a live audience tonight. Live coverage will be available on BBC One and iPlayer.