The prime minister has issued an apology after a social media video captured him in the back of a moving car without his seatbelt on.
Rishi Sunak says he made a "brief error of judgement" by removing the essential safety device to record the clip. It was filmed while promoting his levelling-up fund during a visit to Lancashire and was subsequently posted to Instagram.
Wearing a seatbelt in a moving vehicle is a legal requirement - failing to follow this law can result in a fine of up to £500. However, there are a few exceptions including when a car is being used for police, fire and rescue services, and for certified medical issues.
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A Downing Street spokesman said Mr Sunak “fully accepts this was a mistake and apologises". They added: "The Prime Minister believes everyone should wear a seatbelt.
“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.”
Labour said Mr Sunak’s video was adding to “endless painful viewing” after he was previously seen struggling to make a contactless payment with his card. “Rishi Sunak doesn’t know how to manage a seatbelt, his debit card, a train service, the economy, this country,” a spokeswoman for the party said.
“This list is growing every day, and it’s making for endless painful viewing.”
Mr Sunak was previously criticised for flying to Blackpool in an RAF jet funded by taxpayers.
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: “It seems like the PM is getting too used to flying around in private jets that he’s forgotten to wear a seatbelt in a car. The fact he’s breaking a basic law is just embarrassing and frankly dangerous.”
The AA warned of the dangers of not wearing a seatbelt. "No matter who you are it is important to wear your seatbelt when in the car,” an AA spokesman said.
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