LONDON: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologised on Friday for his early departure from D-Day commemorations in France on Thursday, following heavy criticism of his decision to return to the UK where he is fighting an election campaign.

“After the conclusion of the British event in Normandy, I returned back to the UK,” Sunak said in a post on X.

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“On reflection, it was a mistake not to stay in France longer – and I apologise.”