07 June 2024 , 08:57
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UK prime minister says it was ‘a mistake not to stay in France longer – and I apologise’
Rishi Sunak has said it was “a mistake not to stay in France longer – and I apologise” after leaving D-day events early to take part in a TV interview.
The prime minister was criticised for leaving the commemorations in Normandy early on Thursday to do a prerecorded ITV segment.
He said: “I care deeply about veterans and have been honoured to represent the UK at a number of events in Portsmouth and France over the past two days and to meet those who fought so bravely.
“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.”
Sunak attended an event at Ver-sur-Mer in northern France, which was also attended by King Charles and Queen Camilla, and the French president, Emmanuel Macron.
But he did not attend the late afternoon ceremony at Omaha beach, in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, and instead returned to the UK. Paul Brand, ITV’s UK editor, said the prime minister returned from Normandy to do an interview.