British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has apologized for a “brief error of judgement” in removing his seatbelt to film a video on social media while driving to a destination in north-west England.
Sunak’s Downing Street spokesman said on Thursday he had only briefly removed his seatbelt and admits he made a mistake.
In the UK, passengers caught not wearing a seatbelt while in a car, unless covered by a valid medical waiver, can be fined £100 on the spot, increasing to £500 if the case arises. comes to court.
“That was a brief error in judgment. The prime minister took off his seatbelt to film a small clip. He fully accepts that this was a mistake and apologizes for it,” Sunak’s spokesman said. “The prime minister believes that everyone should wear a seatbelt,” the spokesman added.
Sunak filmed a video to promote new announcements from his government’s Leveling Up Fund to finance more than 100 projects across the country. Police motorcycles could be seen escorting his car as he made his way to the camera.
Rishi Sunak has apologized for making a “brief error in judgement” after being caught on video not wearing a seatbelt.
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The opposition Labor Party said the latest incident added to the “endless painful sight” after earlier video appeared to show Sunak struggling to make a contactless payment with his card.
“Rishi Sunak doesn’t know how to run a seatbelt, his debit card, a train service, the economy, this country. This list is growing every day, and is causing endless painful viewing,” a Labor spokesman said.
It came at the end of a day during which he also came under Opposition fire for using a Royal Air Force (RAF) jet to fly into the north of the country. Downing Street insisted that the use of the aircraft was to ensure the best use of the Prime Minister’s time.