UK Prime Minister Fined For Not Wearing A Seatbelt

The Lancashire Police have fined UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for not using a seatbelt while filming a social media clip in the backseat of a moving vehicle.

The UK Prime Minister expressed regret for the “brief error of judgment” after the video was shared on Instagram during a trip to the area to discuss Levelling Up funding.

This is Mr Sunak’s second fixed penalty notice; when he was chancellor, he received a £50 ticket for breaking the Covid lockdown rules during one of the gatherings that gave rise to the Partygate scandal. According to reports from the time, Mr Sunak had to be “talked out” of resigning due to 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.”

Mr Sunak will pay the fee, according to a No. 10 spokesperson, who also stated that he “fully accepts this was a mistake and has apologised.”

“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 footage and claimed that it added to the “endless painful viewing” of Mr Sinai, after previously seeing Mr Sunak struggling when attempting to use his card to make a contactless payment at a gas station.

A party spokesperson said: “Hapless Rishi Sunak’s levelling-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 cautioned against not using a seatbelt, adding, “No matter who you are, it is important to wear your seatbelt in the car.”

The prime minister’s fine comes as his own administration is considering toughening seatbelt laws that might result in drivers who don’t wear them receiving license points.