LANCASHIRE Police are "looking into" Rishi Sunak after he was filmed not wearing a seatbelt during the filming of a promotional video for the Levelling Up fund.
No belt could be seen covering the Prime Minister’s shoulder as he promoted his levelling-up funding in the clip filmed for Instagram on Thursday as he visited Lancashire.
Sunak has now admitted to a "brief error of judgement" and apologised after a backlash.
READ MORE: LIVE: Protesters target Edinburgh UK Government HQ over bill block
Fines of up to £500 can be issued for failing to wear a seatbelt when one is available.
There are a few exemptions, including when a car is being used for police, fire and rescue services and for certified medical issues.
Police motorbikes can be seen escorting the car as Sunak addresses the camera.
Lancashire Police said it was "aware of the matter and we will be looking into it".
The Government has considered toughening seatbelt rules to ensure drivers not wearing them could receive penalty points.
Recent Department for Transport figures suggested around 30% of people killed in cars on Britain’s roads in 2021 were unrestrained.
Sunak had already been criticised for flying to Blackpool in a taxpayer-funded RAF jet rather than taking a train.
Labour said 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 said.
READ MORE: Scotland's Rent freeze set to be extended until September
“This list is growing every day, and it’s making for endless painful viewing.”
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.
“In 2020, a fifth of all car occupant fatalities were not wearing a seatbelt.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel