Nigel Farage has dismissed allegations of racist and antisemitic bullying during his time at Dulwich College as “complete made-up fantasies”, claiming his accusers are motivated by politics. The Reform UK leader was responding to a Guardian investigation in which more than 30 people, including Emmy- and Bafta-winning director Peter Ettedgui, recounted incidents of abuse. Ettedgui said Farage repeatedly growled “Hitler was right” or “Gas them” at him.
Farage has previously denied directly targeting anyone with racist or antisemitic abuse, and his responses have shifted over time. In a November interview, he said: “I would never, ever do it in a hurtful or insulting way. It’s 49 years ago.” When asked on Wednesday why he had not apologised, he said: “I don’t apologise for things that are complete made-up fantasies.” He added that some claims were “absolute nonsense made by people with very obvious political motivation”.
Farage spoke at a Reform UK press conference where Laila Cunningham, a Muslim and former CPS prosecutor, was announced as the party’s candidate for London mayor in 2028. During the event, Farage also criticised remarks by another Reform candidate, Chris Parry, who suggested London-born David Lammy should “go home” to the Caribbean. Farage called the comments “over the top” and said Parry should apologise.
Cunningham, asked if London was too diverse, said: “The problem in the capital is not about diversity. But what you find in certain parts of London is that immigration is too much, and when it’s too many, they dominate.” She added that some long-term residents “do not feel it’s their part any more”.
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”. Labour MPs criticised his absence, with Chris Bryant writing: “Not really an mp at all.”
