Prime Minister Rishi Sunak fined for driving without a seatbelt Prime Minister Rishi Sunak fined for driving without a seatbelt

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been fined for driving without a seatbelt. Lancashire Police said it had sent a message to a 42-year-old man from London after video circulated on social media of a person in a car without a seatbelt.

It involves a social media clip that was circulated directly on Sunak’s Instagram channel. On his tour of Lancashire, the Prime Minister is advertising his measures to equalize living conditions in the economically deprived north of England – and can be seen in the back seat. Criticism of the seatbeltless ride quickly mounted.

Sunak apologized through his spokesperson saying he only briefly removed the seatbelt to record the video and accepts it was a mistake. “The prime minister thinks everyone should wear a seat belt.”

In Great Britain, a seatbelt violation is punishable by a fine of 100 to 500 pounds (approximately 570 francs). After the police decision, a government spokesman immediately announced on Friday evening that Sunak would pay the fine. He fully admits his mistake.

It is the second time known to the public that Sunak has been asked to pay for a criminal offense: the prime minister was involved in the so-called Partygate scandal during the corona pandemic – at the time still as finance minister under former prime minister Boris Johnson – for violating the Corona measures have been fined. (sda/dpa)