June 07, 2024 00:58 | Updated: June 07, 2024 01:01
Chancellor Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy stand with Normandy landings veteran Alec Penstone, 98, at a commemoration ceremony on Thursday.
Photo: Alamy
Rishi Sunak has been criticised for missing part of the Normandy landings anniversary celebrations to return to the UK for an interview.
In a television interview, the Prime Minister defended his comments about Labour’s tax reform plans, which have been criticised by watchdog groups.
To give the interview, he had to leave the commemoration events in Normandy before world leaders gathered on Omaha Beach.
Foreign Secretary David Cameron was later photographed with Joe Biden and other leaders.
Mr Sunak paid tribute to veterans in a speech at the Normandy Senate elections – his rival for prime minister, Keir Starmer, stayed behind at the event.
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British Chancellor Rishi Sunak attends a joint British-French ceremony at the Ver-sur-Mer memorial.
Photo: Alamy
“Today was the time that was offered to us… I don’t know why,” said Paul Brand, who conducted the interview.
Mr Sunak’s absence from some of the ceremonies has sparked widespread distrust among military members.
Colonel Richard Kemp told the Mirror: “We know we have to fight in the run up to the general election but this is a very significant anniversary of a great military achievement which brought about freedom in Europe.”
“There are veterans participating in this tournament who may never be able to participate again because of their age, so I think it was really important that he showed his enthusiasm for the tournament.”
Chancellor Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy, along with retired RAF veteran Bernard Morgan.
Photo: Alamy
“He should have stayed. As our prime minister, he should have been there to represent the country and pay tribute to those who died.”
Retired army officer Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon said: “It’s a great shame. What could be more important than honouring those who gave their lives for this country?”
Meanwhile, Labour’s shadow budget chancellor Jonathan Ashworth said: “It is disgraceful and a complete dereliction of duty that the Prime Minister left the anniversary of the Normandy landings early to record a television interview and then tell yet another outright lie.”
“Our country deserves far better than Rishi Sunak and his confused Conservative Party, who are out of touch with reality and desperate.”
Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murthy stand alongside Normandy landings veteran Alec Penstone.
Photo: Alamy
Campaigning was largely halted as the focus shifted to the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings, but Mr Sunak attended a range of commemorative events as chancellor.
Conservative sources played down the diplomatic impact of the Prime Minister’s absence in Normandy late on Thursday, pointing out that the Prime Minister is due to meet other G7 leaders at a summit in Italy next week.