The British Prime Minister on Friday apologised for missing the international D-Day ceremony in France and returned to the UK for a TV interview.
Rishi Sunak wrote on X, referring to his early departure from the ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings in France:
“The last thing I want is for the commemorations to be overshadowed by politics.”
Sunak sparked a backlash after he skipped a major international ceremony for an ITV interview about the upcoming general election on July 4.
The British Prime Minister said he cared “very much” for veterans and was honoured to represent Britain at a series of events in Portsmouth and France over the past two days and to meet those who had fought so bravely. He also added:
“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.”
A series of events took place on Wednesday in the UK and France to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Troops from Britain, the US, Canada and France attacked German forces on the beaches of Normandy in northern France on June 6 1944. The Normandy landings were the largest naval invasion in history, and the World War II battle laid the groundwork for the Allied victory in Europe.
Social media outrage spikes
Meanwhile, such behaviour of the British Prime Minister has caused controversial reaction in the UK social networks. Social media users are asking Sunak why he neglected a landmark event for the British. Many British people reproach him for being a Hindu and lobbying primarily not for British interests but for the interests of the Hindu lobby within the UK and at the same time being a staunch opponent of colonialism.
Social media users also suggested that Sunak believes that the landing of allied troops relates to the colonialist era and thus he disrespects D-Day. Sunak’s disregard for such a memorable day inflicts irreparable moral wounds on the British.
