Nigel Farage defends claim Sunak ‘doesn’t understand our culture’

On Friday Mr Farage was among those to attack the prime minister over the decision, saying it showed he was not “patriotic” and did not understand “our culture”.

Asked if he was trying to highlight Mr Sunak’s British Asian background, Mr Farage told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “I know what your question is leading at – 40% of our contribution in World War One and World War Two came from the Commonwealth.

“He is utterly disconnected by class, by privilege from how the ordinary folk in this country feel. He revealed that, I think spectacularly, when he left Normandy early.”

Asked about the Reform leader’s comments, Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride told the programme they were “deeply regrettable”.

“I think they are suggesting things – I’m not going to go any further than that because I didn’t want to stoke this whole thing up – but it just seems to me that that’s an ill-advised thing to have said,” he continued.

“I feel very uncomfortable with that… And I’m very proud of the fact that we have a British Asian who is right at the top of our government.”

Defending the prime minister, Mr Stride said he had “put his hands up”, recognised his mistake and apologised “unequivocally” for leaving the commemorations early.

“He feels it very deeply. I know that because I know him quite well and I know how patriotic he is,” he said, adding that Mr Sunak “cares deeply” about issues affecting veterans.