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The prime minister has come under intense criticism after he left the D-Day commemorations in Normandy, France
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Rishi Sunak has claimed his opponents are politicising D-Day events as he hit back at those criticising him for leaving a memorial in Normandy early for a TV interview.
The prime minister said that he had participated in a number of events over the past two days to honour those who had “risked their lives to defend our freedom”.
“The itinerary for these events was set weeks ago before the start of the general election campaign, and having participated in all the British events with British veterans, I returned home before the international leaders event later in the day,” he told broadcasters on a visit to Wiltshire on Friday morning.
“On reflection, that was a mistake and I apologise,” he added.
“I think it’s important though, given the enormity of the sacrifice made, that we don’t politicise this. The focus should rightly be on the veterans who gave so much.”
Mr Sunak received widespread criticism for the move, including MPs from within his own party. Johnny Mercer, the veterans minister, described it as a “significant mistake”.
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Salma Ouaguira7 June 2024 13:36
Sunak leaving D-Day an 'embarrassing dereliction of duty', Labour says
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Salma Ouaguira7 June 2024 13:09
Nigel Farage accuses Sunak of not being ‘patriotic'
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It comes as the Prime Minister has come under fire for leaving D-Day commemorations in Normandy early.
He has been accused by veterans of “letting the country down”.
But Mr Farage has now weighted in and blasted the move “says a lot” about the Tory leader.
The right-wing politician said: “He is completely disconnected from the centre of this country, and he’s proved to me that he basically is not a patriotic leader of the Conservative Party.
“It’s about whether you feel part of this country, its history, its culture, its heritage, what you want to hand on to future generations.”
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Joe Middleton7 June 2024 12:45
Sunak’s D-Day blunder shows he has a tin ear for politics
While his fellow world leaders were honouring the war dead, the prime minister left them on the beaches, in an attempt to rescue his faltering election campaign. Sean O’Grady explains what this shows us about his character.
Read Sean’s piece in full here:
Sunak’s D-Day blunder shows he has a tin ear for politics
While his fellow world leaders were honouring the war dead, the prime minister left them on the beaches, in an attempt to rescue his faltering election campaign. Sean O’Grady explains what this shows us about his character
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Matt Mathers7 June 2024 12:25
Lib Dem leader Davey: Sunak has brought shame to office of PM
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said Mr Sunak’s actions had brought shame to the office of prime minister.
“One of the greatest privileges of the office of Prime Minister is to be there to honour those who served, yet Rishi Sunak abandoned them on the beaches of Normandy,” Sir Ed said.
“He has brought shame to that office and let down our country.”
Joe Middleton7 June 2024 12:15
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