A letter writer has called on Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to seek forgiveness from 34 former fellow pupils at Dulwich College who say they were either victims of or witnesses to racial abuse by him. The plea comes after Farage defended his ongoing friendship with aide, donor and convicted fraudster George Cottrell as an example of his “Christian forgiveness”.
Farage's Christian Values Questioned
In a letter published in the Guardian, Peter Grimsdale, a former commissioner of religion at Channel 4, wrote: “It is heartening to know that he espouses Christian values. Maybe he should now seek forgiveness from the 34 former fellow Dulwich College pupils who say they were either victims of or witnesses to racial abuse by him.”
Farage has previously stated that his friendship with Cottrell, who was convicted of fraud-related offences in the United States, demonstrates his commitment to Christian forgiveness. The letter challenges this stance by highlighting unresolved allegations from Farage’s school days.
Other Letters in the Guardian
The Guardian’s letters section also featured other correspondence drawing parallels between politics and sport. Quentin Falk of Little Marlow, Buckinghamshire, noted: “Strange how British sport is currently attempting to imitate life. Your forensic charting of the problems assailing Reform UK seems to be echoed by the England football team’s ongoing issues with its right wing during this World Cup.”
David Walker, emeritus professor of French at the University of Sheffield, offered a linguistic observation: “It may be of interest to nobody but me that in France a politician – a Préfet de la Seine – called Poubelle gave his name to the dustbin, while in the UK the dustbin has given its name to a politician.”
Helen Christie of Barrowford, Lancashire, expressed interest in campaigning for Count Binface in Clacton, while Matthew Newman of Leeds joked about wanting to see the Bayeux tapestry at the British Museum next year, adding: “No spoilers, please, on how it ends.”
