Yahoo News BBC apologises after Amol Rajan shown travelling without seatbelt
Documentary How to Crack the Class Ceiling showed the presenter riding in a taxi with no seatbelt on.
Watch: Amol Rajan travels in taxi without a seatbelt
The BBC has apologised for broadcasting a documentary showing presenter Amol Rajan travelling in a taxi without wearing a seatbelt.
The University Challenge host presented BBC Two show How to Crack the Class Ceiling, broadcast in December 2022, which showed Rajan, 39, riding in the back of a moving car talking to camera, while his unused seatbelt can be seen behind him.
The BBC told Deadline: “In the course of making this programme the presenter was filmed travelling by cab without using a seatbelt. This was a mistake for which we apologise.”
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London streets can ben seen in the background as the car drives through the streets at speed.
The Metropolitan Police website states it is a legal requirement to wear a seatbelt if one is fitted. Failure to do so can result in a fine of up to £500.
Rajan has not yet commented.
The BBC's apology comes two months after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was fined by police for failing to wear a seatbelt in a video clip shared on social media by the government.
A Downing Street spokesperson said afterwards Sunak “fully accepts this was a mistake and apologises” and said “it was an error of judgement, he removed it for a short period of time to film a clip.”
Exceptions to the law requiring seatbelts to be worn include while taking part in a procession organised by or on behalf of the Crown.
Journalist and presenter Rajan began working for the BBC in 2016 when he was appointed Media Editor. He is a presenter on Radio 4's Today programme and recently took over as hosts of University Challenge from Jeremy Paxman.
Rajan has appeared on a variety of TV and radio shows during his career, with an early role on The Wright Stuff in 2006.
He has presented for The One Show and provided holiday cover for a number of BBC Radio 2 shows.
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More recently he preseneted BBC documentary about Princes William and Harry The Princes and the Press, and BBC Two Amol Rajan Interviews series, in which he met Sir Ian McKellen, Nile Rodgers, Billie Jean King, Novak Djokovic and Sharon White.
