British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has apologised after he removed his seat belt to film a social media video in the back of a moving car.
Mr Sunak was filming a clip in Lancashire to promote his levelling-up funding plan when he says he made a “brief error of judgment” by removing the safety device.
He “fully accepts this was a mistake and apologises”, a spokesman for Downing Street said.
“The Prime Minister believes everyone should wear a seat belt,” the spokesman 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.”
Fines of up to £500 ($618) can be issued for failing to wear a seat belt when one is available.
There are a few exemptions, including when a car is being used for police, fire and rescue services and for certified medical issues.
But Downing Street did not believe there was an exception for travelling in a ministerial car.
In the video, police motorbikes can be seen escorting the car as Mr Sunak addresses the camera.
Rishi Sunak through the years — in pictures
“We are aware of the matter and we will be looking into it," Lancashire police said.
The government has considered toughening seat belt rules to ensure drivers not wearing them will receive penalty points.
Recent Department for Transport figures suggested about 30 per cent of people killed in cars on Britain’s roads in 2021 were not wearing a seat belt.
Mr Sunak was also facing criticism for travelling to Blackpool in a taxpayer-funded RAF jet rather than using a train, and then taking a 28-minute flight to Darlington.
Labour said his video was adding to “endless painful viewing” after he was previously seen struggling to make a contactless payment with his card.
“Rishi Sunak doesn’t know how to manage a seat belt, his debit card, a train service, the economy, this country,” a Labour spokeswoman said.
“This list is growing every day and it’s making for endless painful viewing.”
Everything you need to know about Rishi Sunak — video
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: “It seems like the PM is getting too used to flying around in private jets that he’s forgotten to wear a seat belt in a car.
“The fact he’s breaking a basic law is just embarrassing and frankly dangerous.”
The Automobile Association warned of the dangers of not wearing a seat belt.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said: “Everyone should take seat belt laws seriously — whoever and wherever they are."
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
If you go
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
Batti Gul Meter Chalu
Producers: KRTI Productions, T-Series
Director: Sree Narayan Singh
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Divyenndu Sharma, Yami Gautam
Rating: 2/5
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Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
