Bruno Peek, D-Day Anniversary Pagentmaster, has blasted Rishi Sunak for leaving the commemorations early.
Speaking to GBNews, Mr Peek said: “When you consider what our Royal Family is going through at the moment. We’re always led by our Royal Family, and they’ve never ever let us down and I’m talking from 40 years experience. And when you think about the problems that they are having to go through now with the health issues, they can still make the effort. They can still ensure they serve the nation like they always do so gloriously.
“Look I have to be careful as I am already involved in planning future events but let me just say Winston Churchill would be turning in his grave.”
Mr Peek’s comments come after Rishi Sunak issued an apology.
Mr Sunak said his itinerary for D-Day events had been set “weeks ago” and he had attended other events with veterans, including in Portsmouth.
He said: “Having participated in all the British events with British veterans I returned home before the international leaders event later in the day.”On reflection, that was a mistake and I apologise.”
The prime minister also apologised on X, saying he hoped the “ultimate sacrifice” made by those who put their lives on the line would not be “overshadowed by politics”.
The D-Day commemorations included a British event at Ver sur Mer, which the prime minister and King Charles attended, but Mr Sunak left before the international commemoration on Omaha Beach.
In contrast, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer stayed at the event until the end, the party has confirmed, suggesting Mr Sunak returned in order to record an interview with ITV. Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth said: “In choosing to prioritise his own vanity TV appearances over our veterans, Rishi Sunak has shown what is most important to him.”
Sir Keir said he was “struck” by how difficult it had been for veterans to get there but how many made the effort to stand up from wheelchairs to salute the King. He said: “I thought it was really important for me to be there to pay my respects to them and to those that did not return and actually to say thank you.
“Rishi Sunak will have to answer for his own actions. For me, there was nowhere else I was going to be.”
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Source Agencies
