Rishi Sunak admits 'error' of failing to wear seatbelt in nightmare day trends now
Rishi Sunak endured a day to forget today as he admitted failing to wear a seatbelt in his official car and branded Tories calling for tax cuts 'idiots'.
The PM also faced a backlash for taking a plane to Blackpool for a visit to promote Levelling Up spending, rather than driving or going by rail.
The 12-hour meltdown came as Mr Sunak was attempting to get on the front foot by allocating cash to projects across the country. But the announcements were criticised for mostly going to London and the South East rather than the Red Wall.
A clip posted on Mr Sunak's own Instagram appeared to show Mr Sunak in the back of a moving car without a seatbelt on.
And a Downing Street spokesman said this afternoon: 'That was a brief error of judgment. The Prime Minister removed his seatbelt to film a short clip.'
Mr Sunak 'fully accepts this was a mistake and apologises', the spokesman added.
'The Prime Minister believes everyone should wear a seatbelt,' the spokesman said.
'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.'
Rishi Sunak used the social media clip to promote his 'Levelling Up' tour. But viewers quickly spotted that the PM appeared not to be wearing a safety belt
The law states that car users must wear a seatbelt if one is fitted in their seat, with only a few exceptions.
A fine of up to £500 can be issued if someone does not wear a seatbelt.
None of the exceptions listed on the Government's website appear to apply to Mr Sunak's car journey.
For example, he was not a driver reversing, or in a vehicle used for police or fire and rescue services, driving a goods vehicle on deliveries, or a licensed taxi driver.
There is also an exemption for medical reasons, with those who qualify required to carry a doctor's certificate with them while travelling.
Mr Sunak flew to Blackpool this morning before visiting Accrington and Morecambe, although it is unclear at what point in his journey he filmed the social media clip.
At one point in his Instagram video, police outriders on motorbikes can be seen through Mr Sunak's passenger window.
The PM used the clip to encourage users to follow his progress on his trip to northern England as he went 'out and about seeing Levelling Up in action'.
On his visit to Morecambe, Mr Sunak defied Tory calls for tax cuts in the Budget, suggesting only idiots think the burden can fall quickly after Covid and the Ukraine war.
The PM gave a blunt response when he was quizzed on the potential for reductions soon - and also swiped at James Dyson after the billionaire launched a brutal attack on the government's 'short-sighted' and 'stupid' policies.
Asked on a visit to Morecambe whether he will cut taxes, Mr Sunak said: 'I'm a Conservative, I want to cut your taxes … I wish I could do that tomorrow, quite frankly, but the reason we can't is because of all the reasons you know.
'You're not idiots, you know what's happened.'
He said the pandemic and the war in Ukraine had left the public finances 'not where it needs to be'.
Mr Sunak said 'it takes a bit of work to get there' but he vowed to make the economy stronger so the NHS and schools can be funded, secure lower interest rates and get a 'grip
