Nigel Farage has rejected allegations of racist and antisemitic bullying during his time at Dulwich College, describing them as 'complete made-up fantasies' and accusing his accusers of having 'very obvious political motivation'. The Reform UK leader was responding to a Guardian investigation that included accounts from over 30 people, including Emmy- and Bafta-winning director Peter Ettedgui, who recalled Farage repeatedly saying 'Hitler was right' or 'Gas them'.
Farage's response to the claims, first raised in 2013, has shifted over time. In a November interview, he said he would never have acted in a 'hurtful or insulting way' and denied engaging in 'direct, unpleasant, personal abuse'. When asked at a Reform press conference on Wednesday why he had not apologised, he said: 'I don't apologise for things that are complete made-up fantasies.'
The press conference, held in London Bridge, also saw the announcement of Laila Cunningham as Reform's candidate for London mayor in 2028. Farage was questioned about comments by another Reform candidate, Chris Parry, who suggested David Lammy should 'go home' to the Caribbean. Farage described Parry's remarks as 'over the top' and said he should apologise.
Cunningham, asked if London was too diverse, said the problem was 'not about diversity' but that in some parts of the capital, 'immigration is too much, and when it's too many, they dominate'. Farage boycotted Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday to appear on Times Radio, saying it was 'more worthwhile than sitting in the House of Commons being abused by a prime minister'.
