Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of Britain apologized on Friday for leaving early from a D-Day commemoration in France, acknowledging a significant public relations blunder amid a general election campaign.
“After the conclusion of the British event in Normandy, I returned back to the UK,” Mr. Sunak wrote on the social media platform X. “On reflection, it was a mistake not to stay in France longer — and I apologize.”
Mr. Sunak did not provide a reason for his early departure. Upon returning to London, he gave an interview to the British network ITV, where he was questioned about his recent claim during a televised debate that the opposition Labour Party would increase taxes on British households by 2,000 pounds, approximately $2,560.
The apology followed a wave of criticism, with the election less than four weeks away.
The Labour Party denounced his early departure as a “dereliction of duty.” Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, criticized Mr. Sunak for abandoning the aging veterans of the D-Day invasion “on the beaches.”
Even some members of Mr. Sunak’s own Conservative Party expressed disappointment.
As a result of Mr. Sunak’s departure, Foreign Secretary David Cameron was left to represent Britain at an afternoon ceremony with the leaders of France, Germany, and the United States.
This led to an unusual scene of Mr. Cameron, a former prime minister, posing for photographs on Omaha Beach with President Biden, President Emmanuel Macron of France, and Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany.
Given Mr. Sunak’s focus on his challenging effort to retain Conservative power, Mr. Cameron frequently steps in for him on the international stage.
However, this situation allowed critics to suggest that Mr. Sunak was prioritizing political appearances over a significant historical commemoration.
“In choosing to prioritize his own vanity TV appearances over our veterans, Rishi Sunak has shown what is most important,” said prominent Labour official Jonathan Ashworth, reflecting how the party intends to use the situation against him.
“It is yet more desperation, yet more chaos and yet more dreadful judgment from this out-of-touch prime minister.”
Mr. Sunak attended a ceremony on Thursday morning at Ver-sur-Mer in northern France, where he joined President Macron, King Charles III, and Queen Camilla. However, he missed the later ceremony at Omaha Beach, which was attended by President Macron, President Biden, Chancellor Scholz, and other leaders.
“This anniversary should be about those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” Mr. Sunak stated in his social media post. “The last thing I want is for the commemorations to be overshadowed by politics.”
Labour leader Keir Starmer remained for the event and was photographed shaking hands and conversing with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine.
Mr. Starmer, whose party has maintained a double-digit polling lead over the Conservatives for 18 months, has sought to enhance his international profile in recent months.
For Mr. Starmer, who had a somewhat shaky performance during a televised debate with an assertive Mr. Sunak on Tuesday evening, this was an opportunity to regain his composure.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sunak faced further questioning on ITV about his claim that Labour would raise taxes. Mr. Starmer labeled the accusation a “lie,” and senior civil servants have criticized it.
ITV’s U.K. editor, Paul Brand, mentioned that the broadcaster had been trying to arrange an interview with Mr. Sunak for some time. “Today was the slot they offered us,” he told ITV’s “News at Ten” program. “We don’t know why.”
