Nigel Farage has again denied allegations of racism during his school days, claiming the accusations are politically motivated. At a press conference, he snapped at a reporter, saying, 'I think we've gone quite a long way towards answering all this, don't you?' He took only 10 questions, excluding the Guardian.
Farage stated that director Peter Ettedgui is the 'one person that said I directly abused him,' adding, 'If they feel they were hurt, then I'm genuinely sorry. But I never, ever, ever would have said or done anything like that directly to a human being.' However, Ettedgui is one of several former classmates from minority backgrounds who allege Farage targeted them. Ettedgui, who is Jewish, claims Farage would say, 'Hitler was right' or 'gas them,' sometimes hissing to simulate gas showers.
Other former pupils have also come forward. Cyrus Oshidar says Farage repeatedly called him a 'Paki.' Another former pupil told the Guardian that Farage approached him and said, 'That's the way back' to wherever he said he was from. Seven contemporaries say they witnessed Farage abusing Ettedgui with antisemitic language, including Stefan Benarroch, who said Farage 'made his life a fucking nightmare.' Rickard Berg recalled hearing Farage sing 'Gas 'em all' to Ettedgui.
Farage has suggested that some of the more than 20 accusers are politically motivated, saying, 'None of them say I directly attack them or abuse them. What they do say is they have different political views to me.' However, the Guardian reports that the overwhelming majority of those who spoke out are not active in party politics. One accuser, Martin Rosell, is chair of the Liberal Democrats in Salisbury, but his account is supported by others. Farage cited former Conservative leader Roger Gough, but Gough was not among those making allegations.
