CONTRITE Rishi Sunak has issued an "unreserved" apology to Daily Express readers for letting down the nation's heroes when he quit D-Day commemorations early.
The Prime Minister admitted he had "made a mistake" as he faced fury over the decision to leave Normandy to record a TV interview in the UK.
Veteran Ken Hay, 98, who was captured as a prisoner of war just weeks after the largest seaborne invasion in history, summed up the strength of feeling when he said the PM had let the country down.
Mr Sunak addressed the backlash head-on and insisted he was sorry for his actions.
He told the Express: "I care deeply about veterans.
I've participated in a number of events in Portsmouth and France to honour those who risked their lives to defend our freedom and our values 80 years ago - my participation is one of the greatest privileges of my life.
"I returned home before the international leaders event later in the day, but, on reflection, that was a mistake and I apologise to veterans and to Express readers unreservedly.
"I had the honour and privilege of speaking to many of them and their families, hearing their stories, expressing my gratitude personally to them. I am someone who will always admit when I've made a mistake. That's what you'll always get from me.
"Our D-Day veterans are the best of us, and I will continue working day in and day out to make sure that the UK is the best place to be a veteran." Mr Sunak took part in all of the events involving veterans, but left before a major international ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings.
The PM insisted he "stuck to the itinerary" that had been laid out for him for D-Day "weeks ago" and said it was "important" that the incident is not politicised.
Amid widespread fury from veterans, military leaders, Conservative politicians and the wider public, he pointed to his record on supporting the Armed Forces and heroes in uniform.
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