Taking Off His Seat Belt While Driving to Create Social Media Content, British PM Rishi Sunak Apologizes

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. (Wikimedia Commons/Downing Street No.10/Lauren

JAKARTA - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has apologized after he drove in a car without wearing a seat belt to record a social media clip, a spokesperson for Downing Street 10, the British prime minister's office and official residence, said Thursday.

The clip, in which PM Sunak discusses the government's latest round of funding to "boost" communities across the country, was widely shared on social media, showing PM Sunak talking to the camera from the back of his car without wearing a seat belt.

"It was a brief misjudgment. The Prime Minister unbuckled his seatbelt to shoot the short clip," a Downing Street spokesman told reporters on Thursday, reported Reuters January 20.

"He fully accepts this was a mistake and apologises."

Asked whether PM Sunak had any exceptions when driving a government car, the spokesman told reporters: "It was a mistake and he has apologised."

Meanwhile, quoting the BBC, Lancashire police are "investigating" this. The spokesperson added that PM Sunak "believes everyone should wear a seat belt".

British PM Rishi Sunak says sorry for not wearing seat belt https://t.co/L1hVsIL96S

— Republic (@republic) January 19, 2023

In the clip that lasts about a minute, PM Sunak can be seen talking to the camera as the car drives away, with a police motorcycle briefly appearing in the background.

In the UK, people can be fined up to £500 if they fail to fasten their seat belts, unless there are exceptions, such as for emergency services, in taxis or when the driver is backing up.

It is the responsibility of passengers aged 14 and over to ensure they wear their seat belts in cars, vans and other freight vehicles where available. The driver is responsible for passengers under 14 years old.

Exceptions include having a doctor's certificate for medical reasons, or being in a vehicle used for police, fire, or other rescue services.

Those fined for not wearing a seat belt cannot currently be awarded penalty points on their driver's license, except in Northern Ireland.

But in October Transport Minister Katherine Fletcher said the government was considering introducing penalty points in England.