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BIG BLUNDER
There’s no defence for Rishi leaving D-Day early, blasts veterans’ minister as even HE slams PM’s ‘significant mistake’
Watch Johnny Mercer on our daily Never Mind the Ballots Election Countdown in the video player above
RISHI Sunak fleeing early from D-Day was branded a “significant mistake” by his own Veterans’ Minister this morning.
Johnny Mercer refused to say the Tories would win the election as he conceded the PM jetting home was a major “mistake”, adding: “You can imagine how I felt as Veterans’ Affairs minister when this happened.”
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The ex-Commando revealed he had spoken to the PM this morning and branded the entire incident “disappointing”.
He added of his chat with Mr Sunak: "He knows this is a mistake. He takes responsibility for everything because he's the Prime Minister."
In a fiery interview on our Never Mind The Ballots show, Mr Mercer said he was “not underplaying” the significance of the PM leaving before an international reception on Omaha Beach with 25 other world leaders.
Mr Sunak flew home from France yesterday afternoon to film an interview with ITV, sending Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron in his place.
Read more about D-Day events
Earlier today, the PM issued a grovelling apology for skipping the commemorative ceremony, conceding: “It was a mistake not to stay in France longer and I apologise."
Mr Mercer told The Sun: “Obviously it’s a mistake.
“The PM on these visits receives a lot of advice on what he should and shouldn’t be doing.
“I’ve spoken to the PM this morning and obviously it’s disappointing, but I do find the faux outrage from people who've done nothing but make my life difficult trying to improve Veterans’ Affairs is pretty nauseating.
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Pressed by Sun Political Editor Harry Cole over how the PM’s team “could have seen this one coming”, Mr Mercer admitted: Well, I mean, yes.
“I obviously share a lot of that.
“But all I'm saying is that you have to bear this stuff in context.
“Obviously you can imagine how I felt, as the Veterans’ Minister when this happened.”
“But also, I see this reaction from people who’ve done who've done nothing but make my life difficult and not lifted a single finger to help veterans over the years.
“And it's pretty nauseating. The guy's made a misstep and he's apologised for it.”
“People are going to try and turn this into a big political moment.
“It is a significant mistake, and I'm not underplaying it, but I think also it should be borne in the context of what we've actually done for veterans.”
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Asked if the Tories could still win the election, Mr Mercer said: "I think we've got to keep fighting.
"And ultimately, you know, there'll be a poll on the day and we'll see what happens."
This morning the PM was condemned by the leaders of other political parties including Reform chief Nigel Farage, who was in Normandy for the commemorations.
He told The Sun: “I was honoured to help raise £100,000 for the London taxi charity to send veterans to Normandy.
“It was a pleasure to meet them at the various events.
“Rishi Sunak could not be bothered to attend the international event above Omaha Beach.
“Who really believes in our people, him or me?”
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey added the PM had "abandoned" the few surviving D-Day veterans "on the beaches of Normandy".
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Mr Mercer, who served in Afghanistan and was in the Army for 11 years, blasted Labour for “saying nice things about veterans” without being able to deliver results for ex-squaddies.
He added Sir Keir Starmer’s plan for veterans lacked a “basic understanding that veterans are not in the Armed Forces”.
He went on: “They're civilians who've left who need all of government to work for them and specific pathways for things like mental health.
“There’s a clear differentiation between what we’re doing on veterans, and you can see the stuff around making sure you don't get penalised for the Armed Forces compensation scheme or your pension and your pension credit.
“I think it's traditional British politics, of saying nice things about veterans and holding their hands for a photograph, and then not even bothering to do the application of policy that's going to change their lives.
ANALYSIS: 'A SPECTACULAR OWN GOAL'
By RYAN SABEY, Deputy Political Editor
This was a spectacular own goal by Rishi Sunak - and he will rueing the moment he boarded the plane in France back to Britain.
As major missteps go this was up there with Theresa May being seen as slow to react to the Grenfell Tower disaster shortly after the 2017 election.
But for Mr Sunak just when he had Labour on the defensive over tax and a decent TV debate outing he has undone all the good work.
The Tories needed a game-changer to give them a fighting chance in this election campaign - but it's them who've committed this horrendous misstep.
Just when he has Nigel Farage's Reform party on his shoulder chasing the patriotic vote this major misstep could see more disgruntled Tories splintering off.
This campaign was difficult enough for the Tories. It was always going to be a damage limitation exercise being 20-points behind in the polls.
But this reckless decision leaves the campaign in tatters.
The Tories appeared to be playing to their core vote in this election - and this could see them either stay at home or vote elsewhere.
Sir Keir Starmer has been adamant that his priority is "country first, party second" as he campaigns up and down the country.
For Rishi Sunak many people who may have been tempted to back him will see this D-Day fiasco as "party first, country second".
Also speaking to the show, former Colonel Alistair Carns said it was “disappointing” that the PM left D-Day early.
The ex-Royal Marine was awarded the Military Cross for his actions while serving in Afghanistan and quit the military after 24 years last Thursday to stand for Labour in Selly Oak, in Birmingham.
He told The Sun: “I don’t want to get into party politics on this.
“Leaving early was a mistake, but I’m pretty sure the prime minister acknowledges this.
“This is a monumental event, and there was a really carefully crafted message from President Biden to Russia.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“We should have been represented throughout.
“I’m just really proud that Labour was there and that Keir Starmer stayed."
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