Top Law Officer Urges Nigel Farage to Say Sorry Over Claimed Antisemitic and Racist Behaviour.

The United Kingdom's top law officer, one of the most senior Jewish ministers, has called on Nigel Farage to apologise to former schoolmates who claim he targeted with racist abuse them during their school days.

Hermer stated that Farage had "undoubtedly deeply hurt" many people, according to their descriptions of his alleged conduct. He noted that the politician's "shifting" explanations had been difficult to believe.

“During his replies to valid inquiries, not once has Farage genuinely condemned antisemitism,” Hermer stated to a publication.

New Allegations Emerge

A recent investigation last month documented the testimony of over a dozen former classmates of Farage from Dulwich College.

One, Peter Ettedgui, said that a teenage Farage "would sidle up to me and say: ‘Hitler was right’ or ‘send them to the gas chambers’, at times making a long hiss to imitate the sound of the Nazi gas chambers”.

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

“He approached a pupil with two tall mates and targeted anyone looking ‘other’,” the person said. “That happened to me on three separate times; inquiring where I was from, and motioning, saying: ‘That’s the way back,’ to any place you said you were from.”

Following the initial report, more people have come forward; about 20 people have now alleged they were either victims of or observed highly inappropriate actions by Farage.

The behaviour they recounted relate to the period when Farage was aged 13 to 18.

Denials and Shifting Positions

The Reform leader has disputed that anything he did was "blatantly" racist or antisemitic, and has asserted the accusers were being untruthful.

Observers have highlighted that Farage has failed to condemn antisemitism and other forms of racism more broadly in his statements.

They also reference his reluctance to reprimand a colleague in his party, Sarah Pochin, after she expressed views about the number of ethnic minorities she saw in television commercials. She later expressed regret for the statements.

“His constantly changing story about his behaviour to his Jewish classmates [is] hard to believe, to say the least,” Hermer commented.

He went on to say: “Arguing that a group of people have somehow recalled incorrectly the same things about his hurtful behaviour simply is not believable."

Call for Leadership

“If he wishes to be seen as a credible figure for high office, he must confront the anxieties of the Jewish people, and apologise to the numerous individuals he has clearly deeply hurt by his behaviour,” Hermer stated.

“Bigotry in all its forms is anathema to the principles of this country and we should not let it to ever become accepted in society.”

In a different discussion, the Chancellor said Farage should “say something” if he wanted to be considered a genuine leader.

“It speaks volumes how little he has to say, and the precisely drafted words that both you and I would understand as being crafted in a certain style to say something, but also dodge the issue,” she said.

Formal Denials and Subsequent Comments

In legal letters before the release of the investigation, Farage’s representatives claimed that “the implication that Mr Farage ever was involved in, approved of, or led this behaviour is strongly rejected”.

Farage later seemingly shifted his position in an appearance, remarking: “Have I said things decades ago that you could view as being banter, you could interpret in a modern light today in some sort of way? Possibly.”

He commented that he had “not ever purposely sought to go and upset anybody”. Farage subsequently put out a fresh denial: “I can tell you definitely that I did not say the things that have been printed aged 13, nearly 50 years ago.”