Senior members of the Conservative Party are angered by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak leaving the D-Day commemorations early, according to the Financial Times. The Reform UK party is also said to be benefitting from his absence. During a seven-party debate held by the BBC, Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, accused Sunak of deserting veterans. The PM returned to the UK early to record an interview. A senior Tory party official is quoted as saying “It’s a gift for Farage.”
The i reports on the same story, revealing that a Conservative Cabinet Minister is “furious”. Penny Mordaunt said that the prime minister’s departure was “completely wrong”. Sunak later apologized on X and to Daily Express readers. He told the newspaper that he cares “deeply” about veterans and apologises to them and Express readers “unreservedly”. He has participated in a number of events to honour those who risked their lives 80 years ago, calling his participation “one of the greatest privileges of my life”.
Mr Sunak’s decision to leave Normandy early is described by The Guardian as “the biggest misstep yet of an already faltering election campaign”. The paper says Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron took the PM’s place at Omaha beach alongside US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
The Conservatives’ pledges for their election manifesto are also mentioned. The Daily Telegraph reveals their plan to axe stamp duty for first-time buyers on properties worth up to £425,000. The paper estimates that 200,000 households would benefit every year. The timing of their manifesto’s release is seen as one of the final opportunities for the party to change the dynamics of the election contest.
The Mirror also reports on the Prime Minister’s early departure from D-Day, describing it as a “snub” that ended the Conservative Party’s election hopes. They also feature photographs of Taylor Swift who performed to tens of thousands of fans in Edinburgh, the first show in the UK leg of the Eras Tour on Friday.
Finally, The Star reports that Sunak’s conduct has led to accusations of him “letting the country down”. A veteran is quoted saying he feels that the Prime Minister’s actions were unacceptable
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