The UK's Attorney General, Richard Hermer, has publicly called on Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to issue an apology to former schoolmates who have accused him of racist and antisemitic behaviour during their time at Dulwich College.
Hermer, one of the most senior Jewish ministers in government, stated that Farage had "clearly deeply hurt" many people based on their accounts. He criticised the Reform leader's "constantly changing" denials as unconvincing.
Allegations from Former Pupils
The intervention follows a Guardian investigation last month which gathered testimony from more than a dozen former classmates. The allegations describe incidents said to have occurred when Farage was aged between 13 and 18.
One former pupil, Peter Ettedgui, claimed that a 13-year-old Farage would "sidle up to me and growl: 'Hitler was right' or 'gas them'", sometimes adding a hissing sound to mimic gas chambers.
Another individual, who was a minority ethnic pupil aged about nine at the time, alleged he was targeted by a 17-year-old Farage. He said Farage would ask him where he was from and then point away, saying: "That's the way back."
Since the initial report, more people have come forward. Approximately 20 individuals have now alleged they were either victims of or witnesses to deeply offensive behaviour by Farage during his school years.
Political Pressure and Shifting Denials
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has previously accused Farage of being "spineless" and said he had "questions to answer" about the alleged conduct, which also includes reports of songs about the Holocaust.
Critics highlight that in his responses, Farage has failed to condemn antisemitism and racism broadly. This failure was also noted in his handling of Reform MP Sarah Pochin, who complained about the number of black and brown people in adverts and later apologised.
Farage's legal team initially issued a categorical denial before publication of the Guardian's report. However, in a subsequent BBC interview, Farage appeared to shift his position, stating: "Have I said things 50 years ago that you could interpret as being banter in a playground...? Yes." He added he had "never directly, really tried to go and hurt anybody".
He later issued a new statement saying: "I can tell you categorically that I did not say the things that have been published in the Guardian aged 13, nearly 50 years ago."
Calls for Leadership and Accountability
In his comments to the Guardian, Attorney General Hermer argued that Farage's claim that 20 people had all misremembered was not credible. "Throughout his defensive responses to legitimate questions put to him, not once has Farage actually condemned antisemitism," Hermer said.
He urged Farage to address the concerns of the Jewish community if he wants to be seen as a legitimate candidate for prime minister, stating: "Racism in all its forms is anathema to the values of this country and we cannot allow it to ever become legitimised in public life."
Chancellor Rachel Reeves also weighed in, suggesting Farage's silence spoke volumes. "A real leader would speak out and say something. He should explain what he really thinks," she said, criticising his "very careful language" and his tendency to "hide" during Prime Minister's Questions.
The controversy continues to cast a shadow over the Reform UK leader as he faces mounting pressure to fully address the serious historical allegations made by his peers.
