UK PM Sunak apologises for not using seat belt, police continue probe

Lancashire Police are “looking into” Rishi Sunak after he was filmed not wearing a seat belt while a passenger in a moving car.

The prime minister has apologised for the incident, saying it was an “error of judgement” to take his seat belt off to film a social media clip.

Not wearing a seat belt carries a maximum £500 fine.

Mr Sunak “fully accepts this was a mistake and apologises“, his spokesman told reporters.

The BBC understands the prime minister was in Lancashire when the video was filmed, during a trip across the north of England.

The video – to promote the government’s latest round of “levelling up” spending – was posted on Mr Sunak’s Instagram account earlier.

In the clip , which lasts around a minute, Mr Sunak can be seen addressing the camera while the car travels along, with police motorbikes briefly appearing in the background.

Passengers caught failing to wear a seat belt when one is available, unless covered by a valid exemption, can be given an on-the-spot £100 fine. The fine can increase to £500 if the case goes to court.