The Tory Party became engulfed in a betting scandal in the lead-up to the General Election last year
More than a dozen people have been charged after a major probe into bets on the timing of the General Election last year.
Ex-Tory MP Craig Williams and 14 more have been charged with gambling offences under the Gambling Act 2005 after an investigation into the scandal, the Gambling Commission said.
It is believed that some CCHQ officials were privy to the date of the much-anticipated election before Rishi Sunak announced the July date in May outside No10.
Williams - who was the PM's parliamentary private secretary (PPS) at the time - admitted to having a "flutter" several days before the Richmond & Northallerton MP addressed the nation.
Laura Saunders - who was the Conservative candidate for Bristol North West and is married to a Tory campaign chief - has been charged with the same offence.
Her husband Tony Lee took a leave of absence in the wake of the allegations during the election campaign as the scandal overran the Conservatives.
Both Saunders and Williams are expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court at 10am on June 13, the commission announced.
Announcing that current staffers who have been charged are now suspended "with immediate effect", a Conservative Party spokesman said: "The Conservative Party believes that those working in politics must act with integrity.
"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."
Others who have been charged include Senedd member Russell George and former party staffer Nick Mason.
Following the commission's announcement, Russell George has also been suspended from the Conservative Party.
Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Darren Millar said: "Having been informed that Russell George MS has been charged with gambling-related offences, I have taken the decision to suspend him from the Welsh Conservative group in the Senedd.
"The suspension is a neutral act pending the outcome of the justice process. There will be no further comment at this time."
Meanwhile, Labour chair Ellie Reeves MP said: "This is a very serious development. The British people will expect that anyone found guilty of wrongdoing faces the full force of the law.
"Kemi Badenoch must make crystal clear that anyone found guilty of using insider information to cheat the system to try to enrich themselves has no place in the Conservative Party. No ifs, no buts.
"Labour is turning the page on 14 years of Conservative chaos and scandal and we’re turning our country round through our Plan for Change.
"Only Labour can be trusted to deliver security for working people and the renewal Britain needs."
