Gambling Commission accidentally hands over thousands of sensitive documents to Richard Desmond’s lawyers

The gambling regulator has accidentally handed over more than 4,000 sensitive documents to lawyers acting for the media tycoon Richard Desmond, in an “unprecedented” blunder during its legal battle over the £6.4bn national lottery contract, the Guardian understands.

Northern & Shell (N&S), the investment group owned by Desmond, is suing the Gambling Commission for £200m in damages over its handling of the lottery licence award process.