Rishi Sunak has been branded a “total liability” and “hapless” as he confronted a backlash for being fined for a second time, with police handing him a hard and fast penalty discover over not carrying a seatbelt.
Lancashire Police issued the discover after the prime minister appeared and not using a belt in a clip on Instagram as he promoted his levelling-up funding in Lancashire.
Mr Sunak has accepted the nice, with Downing Street saying he “fully accepts this was a mistake” and can “of course comply with the fixed penalty”.
Critics are actually accusing the PM of exhibiting “the same disregard for rules” as his Number 10 predecessor Boris Johnson.
‘Hapless’ Sunak has photo-op blow up in face, says Labour – politics newest
Labour deputy chief Angela Rayner tweeted: “Rishi Sunak is a total liability.”
Sir Chris Bryant, Labour MP for Rhondda, stated: “Sunak promised honesty, integrity and accountability on the steps of Number 10. Not only has he been fined again for breaking the law, but Zahawi has been fined as well. It’s time they all went. It’s time for a general election.”
A Labour spokesperson added: “Hapless Rishi Sunak’s levelling-up photo op has blown up in his face and turned him into a laughing stock.
“He began the week hoping folks would be pleased about a partial refund on the cash that has been stripped from them over 13 years of the Tories. But as an alternative he received a warring celebration and one more nice from the police.”
‘No one is above the legislation’
Labour MP Cat Smith thanked police for his or her street security work earlier than taking a swipe at Mr Sunak by saying “no one is above the law”.
But Tory MP Scott Benton struck a unique tone to his fellow Lancashire MP, saying the seatbelt grievance was politically motivated and dangerous use of police time.
In an obvious bid to downplay the importance of the discover, the Blackpool South MP tweeted: “@LancsPolice do an amazing job, but I’m sure their time is better spent investigating serious crime which impacts on my constituents.
“The overwhelming majority of individuals would suppose that politically motivated complaints a few seat belt aren’t good use of frontline sources.”
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat deputy chief Daisy Cooper stated: “Rishi Sunak has shown the same disregard for the rules as Boris Johnson, and now becomes the second ever prime minister to be fined by the police.
“From partygate to seatbelt gate, these Conservative politicians are simply taking the British folks for fools.
“Whilst they continue to behave as though it’s one rule for them and another for everyone else, this fine is a reminder that the Conservatives eventually get their comeuppance.”
The criticism comes as Labour can be calling on Mr Sunak to dismiss Nadhim Zahawi from his cupboard after questions over the Tory chairman’s tax affairs stay unanswered.
Questions have swirled following an article in The Sun on Sunday, which claimed a seven-figure fee was made by Mr Zahawi to finish a dispute with the taxman “after scrutiny of his family’s financial affairs”.
Second serving PM to interrupt the legislation whereas in workplace
Mr Sunak is the second serving prime minister – after Boris Johnson – to be discovered to have damaged the legislation whereas in workplace.
The power stated: “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 wanting into this matter, we’ve at this time issued a 42-year-old man from London with a conditional supply of fastened penalty.”
Mr Sunak has previously been fined by the Met Police for breaking lockdown rules.
He and Mr Johnson were fined by the Metropolitan Police over a birthday party held in Downing Street for the former prime minister when curbs were in place.
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Law have to be utilized ‘impartially’
Sky News’ policing analyst Graham Wettone stated he’s “not surprised” in regards to the discover, including that it’s the “right and proper” decision.
“It is exactly what would happen to anybody else if they were to commit a similar offence and the police discovered it.”
Mr Wettone dismissed criticism that the prime minister has been handled unfairly, suggesting the case was “fairly simple” and that the legislation have to be utilized “impartially”.
Fines of as much as £500 could be issued for failing to put on a seatbelt when one is accessible.
There are a couple of exemptions, together with when a automobile is getting used for police, fireplace and rescue companies, and for licensed medical points.
Mr Sunak got here to workplace promising “integrity” after the scandals that finally compelled Mr Johnson from workplace.
Mr Sunak’s premiership has been hit with a collection of controversies since he entered Number 10 in October, from criticism for reinstating Suella Braverman as residence secretary six days after she was compelled to step down over a safety breach to an ongoing bullying inquiry into Dominic Raab, the deputy prime minister.
Source: information.sky.com”