Rishi Sunak blames his late arrival to controversial TV interview on D-Day event that ‘ran over’

Rishi Sunak was late for the television interview he left the D-Day commemorations for – and blamed it on the Normandy event which he said, “ran over”.

The British prime minister cut away from last week’s event with world leaders that marked the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings at Normandy so he could record an interview with ITV as part of the general election campaign.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, arrive at the D-Day ceremony.Credit: AP

Sunak has apologised for missing the remainder of the commemorations – which were attended by King Charles, Joe Biden, Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz and other leaders – and on Monday asked D-Day veterans to “find it in their hearts” to forgive him.

At the start of the interview for ITV’s Tonight program, Sunak apologised to presenter Paul Brand for being late, saying the “incredible” commemorations in Normandy “all just ran over”.

Asked if he had the opportunity to meet any of the veterans, Sunak replied: “Gosh, lots over yesterday and today. Yeah. I’ve already spoke to almost everyone that was there, I hope.”

The PM also said in the interview that he went without “lots of things” as a child growing up, revealing he was forced to miss out on Sky TV.

When asked about his wealth and if he ever had to go without something he wanted, Sunak said: “There’ll be all sorts of things that I would’ve wanted as a kid that I couldn’t have.

“Famously, Sky TV, so that was something that we never had growing up actually. But it was lots of things, but again, that’s my experience.”

Sunak grew up in Southampton and attended Winchester College, a private boarding school in Hampshire.

He said his parents made lots of sacrifices so he could attend a private school and he was raised in a household that prioritised education and hard work.

“What is more important is my values and how I was raised. And I was raised in a household where hard work was really important … service to your community was important.

“And my parents worked very hard for what they had, and they wanted their kids to have a better life.”

Sunak was also asked about Nigel Farage, the Reform leader, who claimed the prime minister did not care about British history after his decision to leave the D-Day commemoration.

When asked what were Farage’s best qualities, Sunak said: “I really don’t know him. I think I’ve met him maybe once in my life.

“At the end of the day, as I said, one of two people is going to be prime minister on 5 July. It’s either [Labour leader] Keir Starmer or me.”

The Telegraph, London