Labour accuses Sunak of ‘skipping’ D-Day ceremony to ‘convince people he’s not a liar’

Labour has accused Chancellor Rishi Sunak of “skipping” the D-Day ceremony in Normandy in an attempt to “convince people he’s not a liar.” The Prime Minister was present for the initial parts of the commemoration on the 80th anniversary of the landings but was notably absent later on.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps and Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron took Sunak’s place, with Lord Cameron pictured alongside world leaders such as Germany’s Olaf Scholz, the US’s Joe Biden, and France’s Emmanuel Macron. Labour has seized on this opportunity to highlight a picture of Sir Keir Starmer alongside Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

A Labour Party source stated, “If the prime minister has skipped this afternoon’s D-Day commemorations to try and convince people he’s not a liar, he should just tell the truth.” Jonathan Ashworth, Labour’s shadow paymaster general, criticized Sunak for leaving the ceremony early to record a television interview where he allegedly lied.

Reform leader Nigel Farage also weighed in, questioning the Prime Minister’s commitment to the event compared to his own presence in Normandy. The accusations of lying stem from an interview with ITV News where Sunak was questioned about Labour’s alleged plans to raise taxes by £2,000. Sunak dismissed the claim as “desperate” and did not accept that it was “dubious.”

The controversy surrounding Sunak’s early departure from the D-Day ceremony has sparked a debate about honesty and accountability in politics. As the accusations fly back and forth, the public is left to question the integrity of their leaders and the motivations behind their actions.