A video shared on social networks appeared to reveal the prime minister’s labrador retriever roaming easily near an indication which said dogs should be kept a lead.
By Faye Brown, Political press reporter @fayebrownSky
Rishi Sunak’s family have actually been “advised of the guidelines” by authorities after their dog was shot without a lead on in London’s Hyde Park.
A video shared on social networks appeared to reveal the prime minister’s labrador retriever roaming easily near a lake in the park.
The clip revealed a notification board which said: “Dogs should be kept leads”, prior to revealing Mr Sunak and what seemed his better half putting the family pet, named Nova, on a leash.
It was shared by a TikTok user who composed: “Lol, as if Rishi Sunak put his dog on the lead when he saw me recording the indication stating dogs should be on a lead.”
A Metropolitan Police representative said: “We understand a video revealing a dog being strolled off the lead in Hyde Park.
“An officer, who existed at the time, spoke with a female and advised her of the guidelines. The dog was returned on the lead.”
The Royal Parks website says dogs are welcome in all its parks “although there are some locations where they are not permitted or should be kept a lead”.
It says: “These are plainly shown within each park and are typically environmentally delicate websites, deer parks, kids’s backyard, dining establishments, coffee shops and some sports locations.”
Downing Street said it would not be discussing the video.
A spokesperson for the prime minister informed press reporters: “I’m not going to be discussing the recording of the prime minister’s family and personal people.
“You can see the video, it promotes itself.”
Pressed on whether Mr Sunak would be apologising for breaching the park’s guidelines, the representative responded: “As I state, I’m not going to talk about the video which you have actually seen.”
The Met said it would have no additional participation in the matter.
It is not the very first time Mr Sunak has actually been called by authorities.
Earlier this year, the prime minister was fined for not wearing a seatbelt while recording a clip on Instagram to promote his levelling-up funding.
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Downing Street apologised at the time, stating he “completely accepts this was an error”.
Mr Sunak has likewise been fined by the Met Police for breaking lockdown rules.
He and Mr Johnson were handed repaired charge notifications over a birthday kept in Downing Street for the previous prime minister when curbs remained in location in June 2020.
