British PM apologizes for not fastening seatbelt in moving car

London: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has apologised for breaking the law by not fastening his seatbelt while recording a video in the back of a moving car. 

The UK Prime Minister has come under fire for not fastening his seatbelt while filming in a moving car as he was promoting a government campaign.

"That was a brief error of judgment," a spokesperson for the prime minister told the Guardian newspaper. 

"The prime minister removed his seatbelt to film a short clip,” said the spokesman adding that the premier believes “everyone should wear a seat belt".  

Noting that the prime minister "fully accepts this was a mistake” the spokesperson said: "He (Rishi Sunak) removed it for a short period of time to film a clip, which you’ve seen, but he accepts that was a mistake". 

Sunak filmed the video to promote his government's new Levelling Up Fund announcements to fund over 100 projects around the country. Police motorbikes could be seen escorting his car as he addressed the camera.

The video, which is no longer visible, has since gone viral on social media where many pointed out that the UK PM Sunak had removed the seatbelt to film a video.

The clip was posted on Sunak’s official Instagram handle. 

Here's the video: 

🚨 | NEW: PM Rishi Sunak was NOT wearing a seatbelt in a video recorded in his Government car this morning pic.twitter.com/SOLn5YGnT7

— Politics UK 🇬🇧 (@POLITlCSUK) January 19, 2023

In the UK, anyone who is driving or riding in a vehicle without a seatbelt is breaking the law and may face a fine of up to £500 ($619), according to Sunak's government's safety campaign. 

It is pertinent to mention here that Sunak’s travel arrangements also drew criticism after it emerged he took a 28-minute flight on a taxpayer-funded jet rather than taking a train.