The British Prime Minister faces criticism after leaving memorial ceremony early. During the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, when Allied forces landed in Normandy during World War II, the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has faced sharp criticism. The memorial ceremony, held in France, was supposed to be a dignified ceremony to honor the soldiers who participated in the invasion. However, for Sunak, the event has turned into a political nightmare amid an already challenging election campaign. Sunak chose to leave the ceremony before it had concluded, which has caused great surprise and criticism. His absence meant that, among others, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and US President Joe Biden had to conclude the ceremony without their British colleague. When the final group photo was taken, the British Foreign Secretary David Cameron had to step in as Sunak’s stand-in. By that time, Sunak was already on his way back to the UK to participate in a TV interview with ITV.
The incident has led to Sunak facing harsh criticism and ridicule on social media. Several users have pointed out that his decision to prioritize a TV interview over the ceremony appeared disrespectful. Sunak has since acknowledged his mistake and expressed regret. “Upon further reflection, it was a mistake not to stay longer in France – and I apologize,” he wrote in a post on the social media platform X. He emphasized the importance of honoring the men and women who fought for freedom and democracy during World War II. D-Day marks the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France, which was a crucial turning point in World War II.
The anniversary was commemorated with the participation of war veterans and a number of Western leaders, including Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and King Frederik, who both delivered speeches at the event. King Frederik took the opportunity to pay tribute to Danish sailors for their efforts during the war.