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The United Kingdom's top law officer, Richard Hermer, has demanded the Reform UK leader to issue an apology to former schoolmates who claim he targeted with racist abuse them during their years in education.

Hermer said that Farage had "clearly deeply hurt" many people, according to their accounts of his actions as a youth. He commented that the politician's "evolving" denials had been unconvincing.

“During his answers to legitimate questions, not once has Farage genuinely condemned antisemitism,” Hermer stated to a news outlet.

Further Testimonies Surface

A recent investigation last month detailed the statements of over a dozen ex-pupils of Farage from Dulwich College.

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

Another student of colour stated that when he was about nine, he was subjected to similar treatment by a 17-year-old Farage.

“He came over to a pupil accompanied by two tall mates and targeted anyone looking ‘other’,” the person said. “That happened to me on three occasions; questioning me where I was from, and pointing away, saying: ‘That’s the way back,’ to wherever you answered you were from.”

Since then, others have come forward; approximately twenty people have now stated they were either targets of or saw deeply offensive conduct by Farage.

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

Denials and Shifting Positions

The Reform leader has denied that anything he did was "blatantly" racist or antisemitic, and has suggested the former classmates were not telling the truth.

Commentators have pointed out that Farage has neglected to condemn antisemitism and other forms of racism in a wider sense in his statements.

They also point to his failure to reprimand a party member, a MP, after she complained about the number of ethnic minorities she saw in adverts. She later apologised for the statements.

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

He added: “Suggesting that two dozen individuals have somehow forgotten the same things about his nasty behaviour simply lacks credibility."

Question of Character

“If he wants to be seen as a credible figure for high office, he has to confront the concerns of the Jewish community, and say sorry to the those he has clearly deeply hurt by his behaviour,” Hermer said.

“Bigotry in all its forms is anathema to the standards of this country and we must not permit it to ever become legitimised in politics.”

In a separate interview, Rachel Reeves said Farage should “make a statement” if he wanted to appear as a genuine leader.

“It is very telling how very little he has to say, and the precisely drafted words that both you and I would identify as being written in a certain style to say something, but also dodge the issue,” she said.

Legal Letters and Later Statements

In formal correspondence before the release of the investigation, Farage’s lawyers stated that “the allegation that Mr Farage ever was involved in, supported, or led such conduct is strongly rejected”.

Farage later seemingly shifted his stance in an discussion, stating: “Did I say things 50 years ago that you could view as being banter, you could interpret in a contemporary context today in a certain manner? Perhaps.”

He added that he had “not ever purposely really tried to go and harm anybody”. Farage afterwards released a fresh denial: “I can tell you unequivocally that I did not say the things that have been published as a 13-year-old, nearly 50 years ago.”