Nigel Farage's Evolving Narrative on School Racism Claims
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage finds himself at the centre of a growing political storm as allegations about his behaviour during his school days at Dulwich College continue to surface. The controversy has gained momentum through a series of shifting responses from Farage and his representatives over more than a decade.
The Timeline of Responses
The first significant public mention of these allegations emerged in September 2013, when Channel 4 reporter Michael Crick confronted Farage about a 1981 teacher's letter describing him as "racist" and "fascist". Farage acknowledged saying "ridiculous things" but denied they were necessarily racist, stating: "It depends how you define it."
Six years later, in May 2019, The Independent published an anonymous letter from former school friend Jean-Pierre Lihou, who recalled Farage singing "Gas 'em all", shouting "Send em home", and discussing Oswald Mosley. Farage dismissed these as "going over old ground" and suggested the accuser "must be a little out of touch".
The publication of Michael Crick's biography in November 2021 brought fresh allegations from contemporaries about racist and antisemitic language, though others defended Farage. In response, Farage claimed he and fellow students enjoyed "winding up" left-wing teachers and described terms of abuse between fifteen-year-olds as "limitless".
Emphatic Denials and Legal Threats
The tone shifted dramatically in October 2025 when Reform UK's barrister, Adam Richardson, issued three increasingly forceful letters to The Guardian. The first described allegations as "wholly untrue", while the second threatened legal proceedings including "the maximum award of damages permissible" for any published claims.
A Reform UK spokesperson asserted in November 2025 that the allegations were "entirely without foundation" and accused The Guardian of attempting to discredit a party leading in opinion polls. The spokesperson questioned why these claims hadn't emerged during previous election campaigns and emphasised the lack of "primary evidence".
The Nuanced Admission
Farage's position appeared to soften during an ITV News interview on 24th November 2025. When asked if he had racially abused fellow pupils, he responded: "No, not with intent." He acknowledged the difficulty of remembering events from 49 years ago but stated: "I have never directly, really tried to go and hurt anybody."
This marked a significant departure from the categorical denials issued by his representatives and contrasted with his earlier responses to the allegations. The interview revealed a more nuanced position that acknowledged the possibility of offensive language while denying malicious intent.
The political implications continue to unfold as twenty people have now come forward to The Guardian with allegations about Farage's school behaviour. With Reform UK leading in polls and Farage considered a potential future prime minister, these historical claims have taken on renewed significance in British politics.
