LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologized Friday for leaving D-Day commemorations in France early to fly home for a television interview ahead of the election campaign.
Sunak said the decision – which has drawn widespread political condemnation – was “on reflection” a mistake.
Sunak was not alongside leaders such as US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the major commemoration event on Omaha Beach in Normandy on Thursday. Former Prime Minister David Cameron, who is now Foreign Secretary, represented Britain
Earlier in the day, Sunak had attended a ceremony at the British memorial in Normandy with King Charles III and surviving World War II veterans. He also attended a memorial service in Portsmouth, England, the day before.
Sunak wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that the 80th anniversary of the Allied invasion that helped free Europe from the Nazis “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.”
He added: “On reflection, it was a mistake not to stay in France longer – and I apologize.”
The prime minister, who is fighting to keep his job during the July 4 British elections, recorded an interview with broadcaster ITV on Thursday after returning from France. A clip released by the broadcaster showed Sunak denying opposition accusations that he had lied by making inaccurate statements about the Labor Party’s tax plans.
Labor MP Jonathan Ashworth said the decision to leave France early showed “terrible judgement” by Sunak. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said it was “a total dereliction of duty”.
Craig Oliver, communications director for Cameron’s Conservative government, said: “The problem for Rishi Sunak this morning is that he is accused of not getting what it means to be prime minister and what his duties as prime minister are.”
