The prime minister was campaigning in Yorkshire yesterday without media appearances after cutting short his attendance at the 80th anniversary of D-day in France with other world leaders.
Mel Stride, the work and pensions secretary, said Sunak would not resign over the move in the middle of an election campaign. Asked whether Sunak might hand over the Conservative leadership before the 4 July election, Stride dismissed the idea.
"There should be no question of anything other than [Sunak continuing to lead the party]," he told Sky News.
Stride said Sunak "deeply regrets" his decision to leave the D-day events early, calling the prime minister "deeply patriotic" and committed to supporting veterans.
"He has recognised that he made a mistake. He deeply regrets that. He has apologised unequivocally for that," Stride said.
"And I think he will be feeling this personally very deeply because he's a deeply patriotic person. He will be deeply uncomfortable with what has happened."
Sunak has been criticised by politicians across the spectrum for his decision. The choice to return to the UK early to resume campaigning left Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, and Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, on the world stage in France.
This story is from the June 10, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 10, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Raducanu faces test of progress with Sakkari rematch
Home hope takes on ninth seed for the first time since victory in 2021 US Open semi
Murray farewell starts with emotional defeat alongside older brother
Andy and Jamie Murray spent their formative childhood years playing tennis at their local tennis club in Dunblane, where their mother, Judy, was the club coach.
Norrie beats Draper in battle of the Brits as Djokovic fends off Fearnley
British No 1 falls to seasoned compatriot after failing to match his speed and agility
'They're a tough opponent, this really could be a final'
RB Leipzig’s DaniOlmo will see familiar faces on and off the field in Spain's quarter-final against hosts
Stones senses mood change after England's big ‘turning point"
Centre-back hopes new mentality in Southgate’s side can fire them past Switzerland into the semis
Not so fast Can technology put the brakes on speeding drivers?
In the highway code and the courts, there is no doubt what the big numbers in red circles mean.
Chinese electric car firms hit with extra EU tariffs
The EU's top trade official, Valdis Dombrovskis, yesterday brushed aside concerns of trade war retaliation from Beijing against European business after the European Commission imposed duties on Chinese electric vehicles.
Beryl heads for Mexico after lashing the Cayman Islands and Jamaica
The Cayman Islands yesterday bore the brunt of Hurricane Beryl, which has been causing \"utter devastation\" on its path through the Caribbean since Monday.
Gaza ceasefire proposal is a 'breakthrough', says US, but hurdles remain
The White House has described a new Hamas ceasefire proposal for Gaza as a \"breakthrough\" establishing a framework for a possible hostage deal, but warned there remained difficult negotiations ahead over how the agreement would be implemented.
Harris favourite as s replacement candidate for Democrats
As Joe Biden faces increasing pressure to withdraw his US presidential candidacy following his poor debating performance last week, Kamala Harris has emerged as the frontrunner to replace him.
