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The United Kingdom's top law officer, one of the most senior Jewish ministers, has urged the Reform UK leader to issue an apology to school contemporaries who allege he racially abused them during their years in education.

Hermer said that Farage had "clearly deeply hurt" many people, judging by their testimonies of his actions as a youth. He noted that the leader's "constantly changing" explanations had been less than credible.

“Throughout his replies to legitimate questions, not once has Farage actually condemned antisemitism,” Hermer told a news outlet.

New Allegations Emerge

A published report last month outlined the statements of more than a dozen one-time schoolmates of Farage from Dulwich College.

One, Peter Ettedgui, said that a 13-year-old Farage "came up to me and utter: ‘The Nazi leader was correct’ or ‘gas them’, at times making a long hiss to simulate the sound of the gas showers”.

Another student of colour alleged that when he was about nine, he was similarly targeted by a 17-year-old Farage.

“He came over to a pupil accompanied by two equally tall mates and spoke to anyone looking ‘different’,” the individual said. “That involved me on three separate times; asking me where I was from, and pointing away, saying: ‘That's how you get back,’ to wherever you answered you were from.”

Following the initial report, more people have come forward; about 20 people have now alleged they were either victims of or witnesses to hurtful conduct by Farage.

The incidents they outlined cover the period when Farage was aged between 13 and 18.

Evolving Explanations

The Reform leader has rejected that anything he did was "explicitly" racist or antisemitic, and has suggested the individuals were being untruthful.

Critics have highlighted that Farage has not managed to condemn antisemitism and other forms of racism outright in his denials.

They also cite his failure to discipline a colleague in his party, a MP, after she expressed views about the number of black and brown people she saw in adverts. She later apologised for the statements.

“Nigel Farage’s constantly changing story about his behaviour to his peers [is] hard to believe, to say the least,” Hermer said.

He continued: “Claiming that 20 people have all recalled incorrectly the same things about his offensive behaviour simply is not believable."

Question of Character

“If he wishes to be seen as a serious contender for high office, he has to confront the concerns of the Jewish community, and apologise to the numerous individuals he has obviously deeply hurt by his behaviour,” Hermer concluded.

“Racism in all its forms is abhorrent to the values of this country and we should not let it to ever become legitimised in public life.”

In a different discussion, Rachel Reeves said Farage should “say something” if he wanted to look like a true statesman.

“It is very telling how little he has to say, and the very careful language that both you and I would understand as being crafted in a certain style to say something, but also avoid saying certain things,” she said.

Legal Letters and Later Statements

In legal letters before the publication of the report, Farage’s lawyers claimed that “the suggestion that Mr Farage ever engaged in, condoned, or led racist or antisemitic behaviour is categorically denied”.

Farage later seemingly shifted his explanation in an appearance, remarking: “Did I say things as a youth that you could see as being banter, you could interpret in a modern light today in some way? Possibly.”

He said that he had “never directly really tried to go and hurt anybody”. Farage later released a further comment: “I can tell you unequivocally that I did not say the things that have been reported when I was 13, nearly 50 years ago.”