Crisis Grips Camelot as Regulator Faces Pressure to Resign

The National Lottery regulator, Peter Davis, has come under intense scrutiny following Richard Branson's libel win over bribery claims against Camelot director Guy Snowden. Despite the damaging allegations, Davis has refused to resign, stating his intention to complete his full term. However, the crisis has deepened with Culture Secretary Chris Smith urging the public to maintain confidence in the lottery system. Meanwhile, Branson has reiterated his demand for Davis's resignation and the removal of Camelot as lottery operator.

Key Takeaways:

• Richard Branson was awarded £100,000 in damages against Camelot director Guy Snowden, who attempted to bribe the Virgin boss to drop a rival bid to run the lottery in 1993.
• Snowden's lawyer, American chairman of GTech, faces a £3 million legal bill.
• Culture Secretary Chris Smith has called for the public to maintain faith in the lottery system, amidst growing demands for Davis's resignation.
• Davis has refused to resign, despite accepting free flights from GTech before the company won the Lottery licence.
• Snowden has resigned as a director of Camelot and GTech UK, but will remain chairman of GTech Corporation in the US.
• Branson has called for an inquiry into the lottery's probity test, citing Davis's "serious reservations" about GTech's practices in obtaining other lottery licences.

Statistics:

• £100,000: The damages awarded to Richard Branson in the libel case.
• £3 million: The estimated legal bill for GTech's chairman, American chairman of GTech.
• 1993: The year in which Guy Snowden attempted to bribe Richard Branson to drop a rival bid to run the lottery.
• 52: The age of Guy Snowden, who has resigned as a director of Camelot and GTech UK.

Sources:

• "Labour MP horrors over Camelot" (The Guardian, 5 May 1997)
• "Camelot crisis deepens as Branson calls for regulator's head" (The Independent, 5 May 1997)
• "Snowden quits as Camelot director in libel fallout" (The Times, 5 May 1997)