Zelensky shares D-Day video featuring Starmer with no sign of missing Sunak

The Labour leader can be seen in conversation with the Ukrainian president, while Mr Shapps later embraces him and Olena Zelenska, his wife.

Mr Sunak’s absence allowed Sir Keir, who has a 20-point lead over him in the polls, to mingle with world leaders ahead of the election on July 4.

Lord Cameron, who stood in for Mr Sunak at the international commemorations on Thursday afternoon, was also absent from the footage shared by Mr Zelensky.

Mr Sunak has faced criticism for his early departure from within his own Tory ranks and Labour who described it as a “dereliction of duty”.

He has also been forced to deny reports that he considered missing the events in Normandy altogether.

“The itinerary for these events was set weeks ago before the general election campaign,” he said.

Admiral Lord West, the former head of the Royal Navy, has lambasted the decision as “extraordinary” and a “cock-up”.

The Labour peer told BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme: “I’m sure he feels very guilty now but it was a terrible error and you can’t afford to make terrible errors on simple things when you’re in a big election campaign.

“Somebody is not pulling things together and it makes you wonder, well, if they can’t run an election campaign, how the hell can they run the country?”

Sir Craig Oliver, who was Lord Cameron’s No 10 communications chief, said Mr Sunak stood accused of “not getting what it is to be Prime Minister”.