A Normandy veteran has slammed Rishi Sunak’s for leaving a D-Day ceremony in France early, saying his actions “let the country down”.
The Prime Minister has apologised for flying back to the UK early on Thursday to do a TV interview rather than stay longer in France with other world leaders to mark the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings.
But British D-Day veteran Ken Hay, 98, who was captured as a prisoner of war just weeks after D-Day, criticised Mr Sunak, saying: “What can you say? They’re politicians.
“I don’t have a great regard for politicians. It lets the country down. You know?
“It’s not representation of how we’re trying to weld things together...to keep the peace.”
He suggested the Prime Minister’s actions indicated an attitude of: “Let them get on with it...because I want to stand in the election, I want my seat back”.
The Prime Minister apologised for his decision to leave Normandy before a major international ceremony to mark the anniversary of the Allied landings but urged people not to politicise the event.
He admitted that “on reflection” he should have stayed for the event where world leaders including US President Joe Biden marked the sacrifice made by troops landing on the Normandy beaches in 1944.
Asked directly about Mr Hay’s accusations on Sky News, the Prime Minister said he “cares deeply” about veterans before eventually reiterating his earlier apology.
“I participated in events both in Portsmouth and in France over two days, because this is an incredibly important moment for our country, to commemorate the sacrifice of all of those and their service,” Mr Sunak told Sky News.
“And it was a real honour and a privilege to meet many veterans and speak to them and their families, hear their stories, express my gratitude to them, and build on our record of making sure this is the best country in the world for veterans.”
“I care deeply. As I say, the itinerary for these events was set weeks ago, before the General Election campaign.
“I participated in events both in Portsmouth and in France and having fully participated in all the British events with British veterans, I returned home before the international leaders event. That was a mistake, and I apologise for that, but I will always be proud of our record in supporting veterans here in the UK.”
Mr Sunak has faced a furious backlash from Tory party activists, opposition parties and other military figures, over his decision to leave Thursday’s ceremony early.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage seized on the blunder, saying “patriotic people who love their country” should not vote for Mr Sunak, who he said “could not even be bothered to attend the international event above Omaha Beach”.
The timing of the row was especially grim for the Conservatives, as it came ahead of a TV debate on BBC on Friday evening between Mr Farage, Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt, herself having served as a Royal Navy reservist, Labour’s Deputy Leader Angela Rayner, SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, Deputy Liberal Democrat leader Daisy Cooper, Carla Denyer of the Green Party and Rhun ap Iorwerth of Plaid Cymru.
The Prime Minister left France to record an ITV General Election interview which will air next week.
ITV said the timing of the interview was suggested by the Conservative Party.
Veterans’ minister Johnny Mercer said he understood the “outrage” at the Prime Minister’s actions.
“I get the outrage. It’s a mistake. It’s a significant mistake for which he’s apologised,” Mr Mercer told The Sun.
He suggested that Mr Sunak’s team should take a share of the blame for their advice to him.
“Obviously it’s a mistake. The PM on these visits receives a lot of advice on what he should and shouldn’t be doing,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s actions caused unease within a Tory party already nervous about its General Election prospects on July 4.
As of Friday afternoon, four opinion polls had been published in the past 24 hours, all of which showed Labour continuing to enjoy a large lead over the Conservatives as well as a recent rise in support for Reform UK.
