The Tory leader described the incident as an ‘error of judgement’ (Picture: PA/AFP)
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will be fined for failing to wear a seatbelt.
It marks his second fine, having paid a fixed-penalty notice during the partygate scandal while Chancellor.
Lancashire Constabulary confirmed the news this evening.
In a statement, the force said: ‘You will be aware that a video has been circulating on social media showing an individual failing to wear a seatbelt while a passenger in a moving car in Lancashire.
‘After looking into this matter, we have today (Friday, January 20) issued a 42-year-old man from London with a conditional offer of fixed penalty.’
The Tory leader apologised after his ‘error of judgment’ was spotted in an Instagram video promoting his levelling-up funding in the region.
Fines of up to £500 can be issued when someone doesn’t wear a seatbelt when one is available.
Commenting on the seatbelt incident, a Downing Street spokesman said yesterday that the PM ‘fully accepts this was a mistake and apologises’.
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‘The Prime Minister believes everyone should wear a seatbelt’, he added.
‘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.’
There are a few exemptions for failing to wear a belt, including when a car is being used for police, fire and rescue services and for certified medical issues.
Downing Street said it did not believe there is an exception for travelling in a ministerial car.
While working as Chancellor, Mr Sunak was fined alongside Boris Johnson following the Partygate investigation.
The Met’s investigation into breaches of Covid regulations found the country’s two most senior politicians at the time had broke the very laws they set at the height of the pandemic.
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Fines of up to £500 can be issued when someone doesn’t wear a seatbelt when one is available.
