(London) British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologized Friday for leaving D-Day commemorations in France prematurely to return to the election campaign – a decision described as shameful by his political rivals.
Mr Sunak, who is fighting to retain his post ahead of the UK election on July 4, said “on reflection” the decision was a mistake.
Prime Minister Sunak was not alongside leaders ― including US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky ― for the major commemorative event at Omaha Beach in Normandy on Thursday . Former Prime Minister David Cameron, now Foreign Secretary, represented the United Kingdom.
Labor Party leader Keir Starmer, the current favorite to win the election, attended and was pictured meeting Mr Zelensky and other leaders.
Earlier in the day, Mr Sunak attended a ceremony at the British memorial in Normandy alongside King Charles III and surviving World War II veterans. He also attended a commemoration in Portsmouth, England, the day before.
Mr Sunak wrote on Platform X that the 80th anniversary of the Allied invasion that helped liberate Europe from the Nazis “should be dedicated to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. »
“The last thing I want is for the commemorations to be overshadowed by politics,” he said. “On reflection, it was a mistake not to stay longer in France – and I apologize for that.”
Mr Starmer said “Rishi Sunak should answer for his choice” to return to campaigning.
“For me, there was only one choice. […] I wasn’t going to go anywhere else,” Mr Starmer told TV stations.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said it was a “complete dereliction of duty”.
All 650 seats in the House of Commons are up for election on July 4. The party leader who can obtain a majority – alone or with a coalition – will become prime minister.
