Nigel Farage has declared a boycott of the BBC following a furious confrontation over historical allegations of racism, accusing the national broadcaster of staggering 'hypocrisy'. The Reform UK leader turned the tables on the corporation during a dramatic press conference, challenging its scrutiny of his schooldays by highlighting the BBC's own past programming.
A Counter-Attack on BBC 'Double Standards'
Facing persistent questions about alleged racist remarks made during his time at Dulwich College in the 1970s and 80s—which he firmly denies—Mr Farage launched a counter-offensive. He argued that applying today's social standards retrospectively was inherently flawed, pointing to the BBC's own archive. He specifically cited shows like 'The Black and White Minstrel Show', 'It Ain't Half Hot Mum', and 'Til Death Us Do Part' as examples of content the BBC broadcast that would now be deemed racist, sexist, and homophobic.
"The double standards and hypocrisy of the BBC are absolutely astonishing," Mr Farage stated. He challenged the corporation: "If you want to apply the standards of today to the 1970s, you should issue an apology for ever broadcasting programmes like the Black and White Minstrel Show." He suggested the BBC was "very happy to use blackface" at the time.
Record Donation and 'Despicable' Hitler Claims
The explosive press conference coincided with the revelation that Reform UK has received the largest single donation from a living person in British political history. The Electoral Commission confirmed that British businessman Christopher Harborne, a cryptocurrency investor and aviation entrepreneur based in Thailand, donated a record £9 million to the party this summer. Mr Harborne has previously given substantial sums to the Brexit Party and the Conservatives under Boris Johnson.
Mr Farage also addressed what he called "despicable" reporting by the BBC, which has featured claims from some former school contemporaries. One accuser, Peter Ettedgui, who is Jewish, alleged Mr Farage repeatedly told him "Hitler was right". The Reform leader was particularly incensed by a BBC 'Today' programme question asking his deputy, Richard Tice, to discuss Mr Farage's "relationship with Hitler".
"The framing of that question was despicable, disgusting beyond belief," Mr Farage said. He questioned whether such journalism explained why "half a million people every year refuse to pay the licence fee".
Defence and Denial from School Days
While acknowledging the cultural landscape of the 1970s was "very, very different", Mr Farage continued to deny making racist remarks in a "malicious or nasty way". He read a supportive letter from another Jewish former pupil at Dulwich College, who stated he never heard Mr Farage racially abuse anyone. The letter described the environment as one of "macho tongue-in-cheek schoolboy banter" that was "humour, and yes, sometimes it was offensive ... but never with malice".
Mr Farage claimed to have received "plenty" of similar messages and accused his detractors of presenting "belatedly, politically dubious recollections from nearly half a century ago". Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has previously labelled the accusations "made up twaddle".
Political Reactions and a Firm Boycott
The row has drawn sharp political responses. Labour Party chairman Anna Turley said: "Nigel Farage can’t get his story straight... Instead of shamelessly demanding apologies from others, Nigel Farage should be apologising to the victims of his alleged appalling remarks." A Conservative spokesman said the tirade showed "Reform’s one-man band is in chaos once again".
Concluding his remarks, Mr Farage issued a direct boycott of the BBC: "I’m done with you. Until you apologise, I’m not speaking to you." The BBC has been approached for comment.
