London (Parliament News) – PM Rishi Sunak faces backlash for missing D-day commemoration, opting for a TV interview. Despite an apology, criticism mounts over his decision, sparking debate amid the election campaign.
PM Rishi Sunak has expressed regret for missing a critical part of the D-day commemorations in northern France to film a TV interview, as he meets a wave of condemnation over what may be his most significant misstep yet in a faltering election campaign.
Why did Sunak face criticism for his interview choice?
The prime minister was laboriously criticised for exiting the 80th-anniversary events for an ITV interview that is not prepared for broadcast until next week, with rival parties calling it crass and neglect of duty. He was also pushed to deny he had intended to skip the D-day commemorations altogether, as he called for the circumstances not to be politicised.
Was Sunak’s absence from D-day ceremonies intentional?
In a slightly complicated-sounding explanation, Sunak expressed he did not prioritise the election over what is possible to be the last major anniversary to possess D-day veterans – expressing his itinerary had been set before the election was called.
But it remained murky why he returned to the UK earlier for the interview, leaving David Cameron, the foreign secretary, to take his position for the late afternoon ceremony at Omaha beach on Thursday, alongside Joe Biden, Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz, the leaders of the US, France and Germany.
With many Conservatives privately bothered at the decision, and criticism mounting overnight, Sunak tweeted an early-morning apology on Friday. “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,” he reported.
He avoided accusations that his actions showed a contempt for the military, instead claiming in his record presentations he has long supported the armed forces with “increasing levels of investment”. It was subsequently reported that the French government had declared its officials were told last week that Sunak would not observe the commemorations at all because of the general election campaign.
Was Sunak’s decision influenced by the election campaign?
In a broadcast discussion later on, the prime minister rejected the election had been a factor: “I stuck to the itinerary that had been set for me as prime minister weeks ago, before the election, fully participated. “As I said, on thought it was a mistake not to stay longer and I’ve apologised for that, but I also don’t believe it’s right to be political in the midst of D-day commemorations. The focus should rightly be on the veterans and their service and sacrifice for our country.”
A No 10 spokesperson stated: “The prime minister was always scheduled to observe D-day commemorations, including the UK national commemoration occasion in Normandy, and it is incorrect to suggest otherwise.”