Rishi Sunak issues grovelling apology after jetting home from D-Day events early for TV interview
RISHI Sunak has issued a grovelling apology after jetting home early from a D-Day commemoration event for an interview on ITV.
The PM admitted it was a “mistake” to leave before a memorial service on Omaha Beach after speaking to veterans in Normandy yesterday morning.
ReutersRishi Sunak issued a grovelling apology after jetting home early from a D-Day commemoration event[/caption]
PASpeaking at the British Normandy Memorial ceremony on Thursday, Mr Sunak told D-Day veterans ‘we owe you everything’[/caption]
Mr Sunak had taken part in a separate ceremony to mark the British contribution earlier on Thursday, where he told the few surviving troops: “We owe you everything”.
But this morning the PM admitted: “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.
“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.”
Last night ITV presenter Paul Brand revealed the PM had returned to the UK for an interview on the station’s Tonight programme.
Brand told ITV News at Ten: “Today was the slot we were offered … We don’t know why.”
The PM gave wannabe Sir Keir Starmer a chance to mingle with more than 25 heads of state instead.
These included France’s Emmanuel Macron and US President Joe Biden, while the Prince of Wales, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps and Foreign Secretary David Cameron represented the UK.
The Labour chief was also snapped greeting heroic Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also went to Normandy for the memorial event and was snapped driving a World War Two US Jeep.
He told The Sun this morning: “I was honoured to help raise £100,000 for the London taxi charity to send veterans to Normandy.
“It was a pleasure to meet them at the various events.
“Rishi Sunak could not be bothered to attend the international event above Omaha Beach.
“Who really believes in our people, him or me?”
Pressed this morning on the PM’s absence, education minister David Johnson told BBC Radio 4: “The Prime Minister was in Normandy yesterday.
“As you rightly introduced me I am the junior minister in the DfE so I don’t know exactly where the PM was.
“I don’t know precisely where he was. I know he was there earlier that day.
“I am not party to his diary and exactly where he went.
“I know he was there for the commemorations yesterday and he was there in Portsmouth on Wednesday.
“This is a really important moment to recognise the contribution of those veterans.”
Watch our daily politics show
Watch The Sun’s new DAILY Never Mind the Ballots Election Countdown show on our brand new YouTube channel here.
Every weekday Sun Political Editor Harry Cole brings you the latest news and analysis from the election campaign trail.
Speaking at the British Normandy Memorial ceremony on Thursday, Mr Sunak told D-Day veterans “we owe you everything”.
He added: “We cannot possibly hope to repay that debt but we can and we must pledge never to forget.”
Meanwhile, Labour leader Sir Keir said ahead of the service: “It is a privilege to stand with surviving D-Day veterans in Normandy today as we mark this historic anniversary.
“We will commemorate their courage, we will honour their fallen comrades and we will ensure that their story is never forgotten.”
Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!
Account Frozen
Your account is frozen. You can still view content but cannot interact with it.
Please go to your settings to update your account status.
Open Profile Settings