British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak denied speculation that he would leave the Conservative Party leadership because of criticism over his early departure from last week’s D-Day event in France.
Sunak stated in an interview on Monday that “the last thing” he wanted to do was cause anyone “hurt or offence” by leaving a major international ceremony. He also apologised on Friday for travelling back to London for an interview with ITV about the upcoming general election on 4 July.
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.
BBC presenter Nick Robinson asked the Prime Minister how he felt when he looked at a photograph of the event featuring other world leaders gathered in Normandy. Sunak replied that he never meant to hurt anyone’s feelings.
I hope people can find it within their hearts to forgive me.
He then pointed to his efforts “to increase investment in our armed forces” and to make Britain a better country for veterans “as a demonstration of how deeply I care about this community and what they’ve done for our country.” The Conservative leader also pledged to carry on “until the last day,” despite heavy criticism ahead of an early election he called for on 23 May.
Last Wednesday, special events took place 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, with the World War II battle laying the groundwork for the Allied victory in Europe.
Each annual D-Day celebration is of particular importance, especially as the generation of once-young people storming the beaches grows smaller each year.
