The story of a bizarre betting scandal around next Wednesday's Budget speech is emerging this morning. Bookmakers are reporting 'unusual betting trends' after several thousand pounds has been wagered on Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling saying the word 'wibble' somewhere in his announcement.
William Hill said that they were alerted to possible anomalies after a man walked into their Central London shop and bet £1,000 at 200/1 that the strange word would appear in the speech next week.
A spokesman said "Our staff were instantly suspicious as the man was obviously trying to disguise his true appearance. As soon as staff noticed the dyed eyebrows they raised the alarm."
In the following few hours more instances of 'shifty looking characters' placing the same bet were reported in bookmakers all over London and the authorities believe that someone had 'passed the inside information to their mates.'
We will all now wait for today's speech with renewed enthusiasm as most bookies have said that they will honour the bets unless they have proof of wrongdoing; however they have emphasised that they will not pay out on the word 'wobble'.
