Rishi Sunak issues apology for returning from D-Day ceremony early

Rishi Sunak has said it was a “mistake” to return from D-Day commemorations in Normandy early.

The prime minister was heavily criticised for not being at part of the 80th anniversary D-Day ceremony on Thursday as he travelled back from France to the UK to record a TV interview set to go out next week.

He was last seen giving a speech mid-morning and was notably absent from the International Ceremony on Omaha Beach at 3.30pm that was billed as being attended by 25 heads of state, veterans and officials.

There are also questions about whether the PM was going to attend at all as he wanted to concentrate on the general election campaign, but that decision is understood to have been reversed with a short visit agreed on as a compromise.

On Friday morning, Mr Sunak issued an apology and said he cares “deeply about veterans”, but the mishap has left him open to attacks from other political parties as the election campaign enters its third week.

Follow live:
Reaction to apology and election latest

“The 80th anniversary of D-Day has been a profound moment to honour the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our values, our freedom and our democracy,” he wrote on social media.

“This anniversary should be about those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The last thing I want is for the commemorations to be overshadowed by politics.

“I care deeply about veterans and have been honoured to represent the UK at a number of events in Portsmouth and France over the past two days and to meet those who fought so bravely.

“After the conclusion of the British event in Normandy, I returned back to the UK. On reflection, it was a mistake not to stay in France longer – and I apologise.”

Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross said the commemoration was a “crucial moment in our history” and it was “right that he apologise”.

Other political parties used the “mistake” to attack Mr Sunak, saying it was “a dereliction of duty”.

Sir Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, posted on X after Mr Sunak’s apology, saying: “One of the greatest privileges of the office of prime minister is to be there to honour those who served, yet Rishi Sunak abandoned them on the beaches of Normandy.

“It is a total dereliction of duty and shows why this Conservative government just has to go.”

Labour shadow minister Jonathan Ashworth said: “In choosing to prioritise his own vanity TV appearances over our veterans, Rishi Sunak has shown what is most important to him.

“It is yet more desperation, yet more chaos, and yet more dreadful judgement from this out of touch prime minister.”

Labour’s shadow housing minister Matthew Pennycook told Sky News he is “glad” Mr Sunak apologised and said it was worse because the reason he missed the event was to record an interview in which he said Labour would introduce £2,000 of tax rises – which Labour has called a lie.

Read more:
Tories promise tax cut for parents
Labour to offer ‘freedom to buy’ for young people

Mr Pennycook added: “I think it’s embarrassing. I think it’s a shameful dereliction of duty. He’s right to apologise, but the British public should ask themselves serious questions about a man who decides to make that decision in the first place.”

SNP minister Neil Grey also called it a “dereliction of duty” and told Sky News the PM had “ill-served” the memory of his grandfather who served on D-Day.

👉 Tap here to follow Politics at Jack at Sam’s wherever you get your podcasts 👈

“I think is utterly appalling and disgusting,” Mr Grey said.

“I think the offence that will be caused to the veterans community will be great.

“For the prime minister to think that a TV interview was more important than completing those commemorations is an appalling lack of judgement.”