British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak was fined for failing to wear a seatbelt in a social media video
Rishi Sunak, the UK’s prime Minister, was fined by Lancashire Police after he failed to wear a seatbelt when filming a video for social media in the backseat of a moving vehicle.
He apologized for the “brief error of judgment” after the clip was posted to Instagram during a visit to the area to talk about Levelling Up funding.
This is Mr. Sunak’s second fixed penalty notice. He was also issued a PS50 ticket while he was chancellor for violating Covid lockdown laws during one of the events that led to the Partygate scandal. According to reports, Mr. Sunak was “talked out” about resigning because of the fine.
Lancashire Police said: “You will be aware that a video has been circulating on social media showing an individual failing to wear a seat belt while a passenger in a moving car in Lancashire.
“After looking into this matter, we have today (Friday, January 20th) issued a 42-year-old man from London with a conditional offer of fixed penalty.”
A No 10 spokesperson confirmed Mr. Sunak would pay the fine and said he “fully accepts this was a mistake and has apologized”.
“It was an error of judgment, he removed it for a short period of time to film a clip, which you’ve seen, but he accepts that was a mistake,” the spokesperson added.
Labour criticized the video and said the clip added to the “endless painful viewing” of Mr. Sunak after he was previously seen struggling to make a contactless payment with his card in a petrol station.
A party spokesperson said: “Hapless Rishi Sunak’s leveling-up photo op has blown up in his face and turned him into a laughing stock.
“He started the week hoping people would be grateful for a partial refund on the money that has been stripped from them over 13 years of the Tories. But instead, he got a warring party and yet another fine from the police.
“Just when you thought this Tory government couldn’t get any more ridiculous, they manage it.”
The AA also warned of the dangers of not wearing a seatbelt, adding: “No matter who you are it is important to wear your seatbelt when in the car.”
The prime minister’s fine comes as his own government has considered toughening seatbelt rules that could see drivers not wearing them receive penalty points on their license.
