British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologised on Friday for his early departure from D-Day commemorations in France on Thursday, following heavy criticism of his decision to return to the UK where he is fighting an election campaign.
“After the conclusion of the British event in Normandy, I returned back to the UK,” Sunak – who is struggling to win support from voters before the July 4 election – said in a post on X.
“On reflection, it was a mistake not to stay in France longer – and I apologise.”
World leaders including U.S. President Joe Biden and Britain’s King Charles gathered in Normandy, northern France, to mark the 80th anniversary of the allied landings, a turning point in World War Two.
Sunak spoke at a British-led event but delegated other duties to ministers including Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who was pictured with Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at a later memorial ceremony.
News reports said Sunak left the event early in order to conduct a television interview with a British broadcaster.
Sunak’s Conservative Party is lagging about 20 points behind the opposition Labour Party in opinion polls ahead of the national election.
