Lancashire Police have fined the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, for failing to wear a seatbelt while recording a social media video in the rear of a moving car.
After the video was uploaded to Instagram during his visit to the region to discuss Leveling Up funds, he apologized for the “brief error of judgment.”
This is Mr. Sunak’s second fixed penalty notice; as chancellor, he received a £50 ticket for violating Covid lockdown restrictions during one of the gatherings that prompted the Partygate affair. At the time, it was reported that Mr. Sunak had to be dissuaded from quitting over the fine.
Lancashire Police stated, “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 representative for No. 10 confirmed that Mr. Sunak will pay the punishment and 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 slammed the video, saying it added to Mr Sunak’s “endless painful viewing” after he was previously seen struggling to make a contactless payment with his card at a gas 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 by 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 considers toughening seatbelt laws, which could result in drivers who do not wear them receiving license points.
Source – Tru News Report
