U.K News
Rishi Sunak Apologizes For Skipping A D-Day Ceremony To Return To The Election Campaign Trail
LONDON — British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologized Friday for abandoning D-Day commemorations in France early to return to the election campaign road, a decision condemned as shameful by his political opponents.
Sunak, struggling to keep his post in Britain’s July 4 election, admitted that the decision was a mistake “on reflection”.
Sunak was absent at Thursday’s huge commemoration gathering at Omaha Beach in Normandy, including US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Former Prime Minister David Cameron, now the Foreign Minister, represented the United Kingdom.
Rishi Sunak | AP News Image
Rishi Sunak Apologizes For Skipping A D-Day Ceremony To Return To The Election Campaign Trail
Labour Party leader Keir Starmer, currently favored to win the election, attended and was photographed with Zelenskyy and other leaders.
Sunak had previously attended a ceremony at the British memorial in Normandy with King Charles III and surviving World War II veterans and a ceremony in Portsmouth, England, the previous day.
Sunak stated on X, formerly Twitter, that the 80th anniversary of the Allied invasion that helped liberate Europe from the Nazis “should be about those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.” “I don’t want politics to overshadow the commemorations.”
He continued: “On reflection, it was a mistake not to stay in France longer — and I apologise,” he stated in his letter.
Rishi Sunak | AP News Image
Rishi Sunak Apologizes For Skipping A D-Day Ceremony To Return To The Election Campaign Trail
The prime minister gave an interview to ITV on Thursday after returning from France, although he denied that was the reason he cut short his trip.
Sunak said he “stuck to the itinerary” for D-Day weeks before calling the election.
“On reflection it was a mistake not to stay longer and I’ve apologized for that, but I also don’t think it’s right to be political in the midst of D-Day commemorations,” he stated. “The focus should rightly be on the veterans and their service and sacrifice for our country.”
Sunak denied claims that he lied by making false statements regarding the opposition Labour Party’s tax intentions in an interview broadcast by ITV.
Starmer stated, “Rishi Sunak will have to answer for his choice” to forgo the D-Day celebration.
Sunak’s decision to forgo the ceremony was deemed “a total dereliction of duty” by Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey.
Nigel Farage, leader of the populist Reform U.K. party, stated that “patriotic people who love their country” should not vote for Sunak. Farage’s populist, anti-immigrant stances are intended to sway Conservative voters. He is anticipated to bring up the D-Day incident in a seven-party televised discussion later Friday. All of the major parties will be represented; however, Sunak and Starmer are not expected to attend.
Rishi Sunak | AP News Image
Rishi Sunak Apologizes For Skipping A D-Day Ceremony To Return To The Election Campaign Trail
Craig Oliver, former communications director for Cameron’s Conservative government, stated, “the problem for Rishi Sunak this morning is he’s accused of not understanding what it is to be a prime minister and what his duties are as a prime minister.”
All 650 seats in the House of Commons will be up for grabs on July 4. The party leader that can command a majority, whether alone or in alliance, will be appointed Prime Minister.
Ken Hay, 98, a D-Day veteran, claimed Sunak’s choice to “bail out” let the country down.
“I don’t have a great regard for politicians,” Hay told Sky News.
SOURCE – (AP)
