Police 'looking into' video of Rishi Sunak not wearing a seatbelt

A sitting prime minister under a police investigation has been far from rare in recent years, as we all know.

Rishi Sunak has become the latest one, with police announcing that they are investigating the Prime Minister for a video where he appeared to not be wearing a seatbelt in a moving car.

Lancashire Police said they are 'looking into' the video of Sunak without a seatbelt, an offence that can lead to a fine of up to £500.

The Prime Minister was forced to issue an apology for the 'mistake', with Downing Street saying that Sunak made a 'brief error of judgement'.

@rishisunakmp/ Instagram

A spokesman for the Prime Minister said: "The Prime Minister believes everyone should wear a seatbelt.

"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."

But despite the public apology, Lancashire Police are still investigating the matter.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police told the PA news agency: “We are aware of the matter and we will be looking into it."

The clip in question was filmed in Lancashire, with Sunak doing a trip of the North of England promoting the 'Levelling Up' programme - a 'plan to transform the UK by spreading opportunity and prosperity to all parts of it'.

When Sunak got out of the car in Hartlepool, he was asked about not wearing his seatbelt, but refused to answer.

The government has actually considered introducing tougher laws for motorists who do not wear their seatbelts in a moving vehicle.

The new measure would see drivers get penalty points, with official statistics showing 30 percent of people killed in vehicles were not wearing a seatbelt.

Ian Davidson / Alamy Stock Photo

As per the BBC, Labour said the video added to 'endless painful viewing', following the Prime Minister struggling to make a contactless payment with his card last year.

A Labour spokeswoman said: "Rishi Sunak doesn't know how to manage a seat belt, his debit card, a train service, the economy, this country.

"This list is growing every day, and it's making for endless painful viewing."

As we are all well aware, Sunak's police investigation comes after former PM Boris Johnson was fined for having illegal parties at Downing Street during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Funnily enough, Sunak, then Chancellor, was also fined for being part of an illegal gathering.