Rishi Sunak forced to apologise for leaving D-Day events early for TV interview

Rishi Sunak has apologised after skipping a major international ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day in order to carry out a General Election TV interview.

The Prime Minister said "it was a mistake" not to stay in France for the international event after he had attended the earlier British ceremony in Normandy.

Mr Sunak has come under intense criticism after it emerged he missed the event with fellow world leaders to head back to the UK for an ITV interview.

The Prime Minister said: "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."

Among those who criticised the Prime Minister was Nigel Farage, who posted a furious rant on X.

The Reform UK leader said: "The Prime Minister has ducked out of the international D-Day event to fly back to the UK to campaign.

"I am here in Normandy in a personal capacity because I think it matters. Does he?”

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey was also caustic in his criticism, 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.

"He has brought shame to that office and let down our country.

"I am thinking right now of all those veterans and their families he left behind and the hurt they must be feeling. It is a total dereliction of duty and shows why this Conservative Government just has to go."

Jonathan Ashworth, Labour’s shadow paymaster general, said: “The Prime Minister skipping off early from D-Day commemorations to record a television interview where he once again lied through his teeth is both an embarrassment and a total dereliction of duty.

“Our country deserves so much better than out of touch, desperate Rishi Sunak and his chaotic Tory Party.”

A Government minister defended Rishi Sunak after the Prime Minster skipped the major international ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day in order to carry out a TV interview.

The Prime Minister left Normandy on Thursday before world leaders gathered at the centrepiece of the 80th anniversary events, although he had taken part in a separate ceremony to mark the British contribution.

On GB News, children's minister David Johnston rejected the suggestion it was a "bizarre choice", particularly given that Sir Keir Starmer was at the event.

"I don't accept that about the Prime Minister, he was at the commemorations in Portsmouth on Wednesday, he was in Normandy yesterday and he and this Government have done huge amounts to support our veterans," Mr Johnston said.

Mr Sunak attended Thursday morning's main ceremonial event, marking a temporary pause to the election campaign. He joined the King and Queen, as well as French President Emmanuel Macron and British veterans.

He delivered a short speech and led a “heroes’ welcome” for veterans at the British Normandy memorial, before joining their majesties at the Winston Churchill Education and Learning Centre.

However, unlike Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, who stayed in France for a meeting of more than 25 heads of state from around the world at the official international ceremony, Mr Sunak departed the major event early.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps stood in for him instead.