General Election LIVE as Rishi Sunak breaks cowl after dodging media over D-Day
Rishi Sunak is expected to finally break cover today after going to ground following his D-Day blunder that sparked widespread fury.
Tories were forced to deny claims that Mr Sunak could quit as the Prime Minister dodged questions from journalists for at least 48 hours following his D-Day snub. Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride was forced to insist Mr Sunak would continue to lead the party into the July 4 General Election.
The Work and Pensions Secretary said yesterday: “Absolutely. And there’s been no question of anything other than that.” Conservatives were left blindsided on Thursday when it emerged that the PM ditched D-Day veterans early to do a political interview with ITV.
Mr Sunak apologised on Friday morning but has not done any media interviews since a fractious pool clip on Friday afternoon. He campaigned in Bedale in North Yorkshire, close to his constituency, on Sunday, but journalists were invited. He is expected to hit the campaign trail today.
Policing Minister Chris Philp said he was” surprised and disappointed” by the PM’s decision to quit the commemorations early. He added: “But he apologised, and I think if you look at his track record looking after veterans and funding the armed services, he has got a good track record, a track record that he can be proud of, a track record the party can be proud of, and a track record the country can be proud of.”
Follow the latest updates from the General Election campaign below
Labour vow to create 100,000 new nursery places in primary schools
Labour will create more than 100,000 extra childcare places by opening some 3,000 new nurseries in schools.
The Tories have pledged to increase free childcare hours in England but have been accused of failing to do enough to ensure parents can actually get places.
Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Philipson is expected to pledge to make their promises reality by boosting provision.
Read more: Labour will create 100,000 new nursery places in primary schools to boost childcare
Suella Braverman urges Tories to welcome Nigel Farage
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman has said Nigel Farage “should be welcomed” by the Conservative Party and admitted Reform UK and the Tories aren’t that different.
She made the intervention after a disastrous few days for the party following Rishi Sunak’s decision to abandon veterans and world leaders on D-Day to record an interview with ITV.
Braverman told The Times: “We need to, in the future, to find some way to work together because there shouldn’t be big differences between us. I would welcome Nigel into the Conservative Party. There’s not much difference really between him and many of the policies that we stand for.”
Read more: Suella Braverman urges Tories to welcome Nigel Farage as Reform UK aren’t that different
Tory Chris Philp ‘surprised and disappointed’ by Sunak’s D-Day snub
Chris Philp said he was “surprised and disappointed” by the Prime Minister’s decision to leave Thursday’s D-Day commemorative events early.
The Home Office minister faced continued questions about Rishi Sunak’s decision as he commenced the week’s first morning broadcast round on Sky News.
Asked how he personally felt about what happened, Mr Philp told Sky: “Well, I was surprised and disappointed.
“But he apologised, and I think if you look at his track record looking after veterans and funding the armed services, he has got a good track record, a track record that he can be proud of, a track record the party can be proud of, and a track record the country can be proud of.”
The Home Office minister had earlier defended the Prime Minister’s actions after being asked about Mr Sunak’s subdued campaigning across the weekend, telling Sky News: “I am sure he regrets deeply not having attended that event, which is why obviously he rightly apologised because it was a mistake.
“But he has recognised that, he has apologised and I think we will see him bouncing around the campaign trail this week and I am sure he will be talking to journalists whenever they want to ask him some questions.”
