Election latest: Rishi Sunak’s D-Day ‘mistake’ his ‘Gillian Duffy’ moment, Nigel Farage

The prime minister has said it is important that the furore over him leaving D-Day commemorations early yesterday is not “politicised”. 

“On reflection, that was a mistake and I apologise,” Rishi Sunak said.

“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 also denied reports that his team considered cancelling his attendance at the entire event yesterday, saying “that’s simply not right”.

He added that the itinerary for his attendance at D-Day events was “set weeks ago, before the general election campaign”.

Mr Sunak has faced criticism for leaving the events in Normandy early, later carrying out a TV interview. 

Veterans minister Johnny Mercer has said he understands people’s “outrage” over Mr Sunak’s actions, describing them as a “significant mistake”.

But, in a later post on social media, Mr Mercer said this moment is “not reflective of his work on veterans”, adding that “no one has done more to facilitate” his work supporting veterans than this prime minister.

Addressing the criticism, Mr Sunak said people can “judge me by my actions” when it comes to supporting the Armed Forces.

A Number 10 spokesperson has also said: “The prime minister was always scheduled to attend D-Day commemorations, including the UK National Commemoration event in Normandy, and it is incorrect to suggest otherwise.”