Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, has launched a fierce attack on broadcasters while denying he ever made racist or antisemitic remarks 'with malice'. This comes as the number of his former school contemporaries making such allegations to the Guardian has now reached 28.
Angry Denials and Media Boycott Threat
In a heated London press conference, Farage suggested he would boycott the BBC, labelling the corporation 'despicable'. He also took aim at ITV, repeatedly invoking the name of the late comedian Bernard Manning, known for material widely condemned as racist and misogynistic.
Farage's combative performance coincided with his party slipping in recent national polls. He admitted he may have engaged in 'banter' at school that would be viewed differently today but firmly denied directing racist or antisemitic comments at any individual. "I never said anything racist with malice," he stated, before adding "recollections may vary" when pressed on the specific allegations.
A Growing Chorus of School Contemporaries
The Guardian's investigation has now heard from five more former pupils of Dulwich College, bringing the total to 28 individuals who recall witnessing offensive behaviour. They say they were motivated to speak out by the dismissive response from Farage and his party to the initial claims.
Among the most serious allegations are those from Peter Ettedgui, an award-winning director, who says Farage repeatedly growled "Hitler was right" or "Gas them" at him during their schooldays. His account has been corroborated by eight fellow pupils, including banker Nick Hearn.
Hearn, describing himself as a conservative, told the Guardian the behaviour was "personal, vindictive, racist" and not mere banter. "He had a reputation in school for being a racist," Hearn said, calling on Farage to "come clean" and apologise.
Another former pupil, Mark Bridges, recalled Farage as "a racist bully" who tormented Ettedgui. Further claims include Farage allegedly burning a school roll in a year where the name Patel outnumbered Smiths, and making gas hissing noises at a Jewish pupil.
Farage's Counterattack and 'Double Standards' Claim
Facing intense scrutiny, Farage turned his fire on the media. He criticised BBC presenter Emma Barnett's line of questioning as "beyond belief" and cited 1970s and 80s TV shows like 'Are You Being Served?' to accuse the BBC of "double standards and hypocrisy." He demanded an apology from the broadcaster for its past content.
In his defence, Farage read a letter he said came from another former Jewish schoolmate, who claimed while Farage was sometimes offensive, it was "never with malice" and he was "neither aggressive nor a racist."
However, Reform's deputy leader, Richard Tice, took a harder line, previously stating that all those making allegations were liars. The party's legal representative initially issued a categorical denial before Farage's later admission about 'banter'.
As the controversy deepens, the claims from dozens of individuals paint a stark picture of Farage's schooldays, challenging his narrative and placing his past behaviour firmly at the centre of the political debate.
