UK’s Sunak apologises for leaving D-Day ceremony early

AFP | London

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

UK leader Rishi Sunak apologised yesterday for leaving the D-Day anniversary commemorations in northern France early to conduct a television interview during Britain’s general election campaign.

Opposition politicians accused Sunak of bringing “shame” to the office of prime minister by skipping a major international ceremony with other world leaders in Normandy on Thursday.

Sunak attended a British government event before returning home and missed the main ceremony at Omaha Beach, attended by France’s President Emmanuel Macron and US President Joe Biden.

“After the conclusion of the British event in Normandy, I returned back to the UK,” Sunak said in a post on the social media site X. “On reflection, it was a mistake not to stay in France longer –- and I apologise.” Sunak was interviewed by ITV News in an interview that is not due to air until Wednesday.

Jonathan Ashworth, of the main opposition Labour Party, accused Sunak of prioritising “his own vanity TV appearances over our veterans”.