Former Conservative chancellor Sajid Javid has urged Nigel Farage to apologise for alleged racist comments made during his school days. Javid, who served as home secretary, said the Reform UK leader's refusal to apologise for his behaviour at Dulwich College was 'disturbing'.
A Guardian investigation found over 30 of Farage's former schoolmates accused him of racist and antisemitic bullying. Farage has denied the allegations, calling them 'complete made-up fantasies' and claiming he had no intent to hurt anyone.
Javid, the first home secretary from an ethnic minority background, told the Sunday Times that Farage's remarks were 'clearly the wrong thing to say'. He added: 'He could well be a totally different person today. But to demonstrate you are a different person, it starts with an apology.'
Javid, whose parents moved from Pakistan to the UK, described Britain as 'the most successful multiracial society on earth'. He highlighted his own family's integration story, from not speaking English at primary school to holding high office.
In November, the Guardian reported fresh allegations, including from Jewish film-maker Peter Ettedgui, who claimed Farage said 'Hitler was right' and made hissing noises simulating gas chambers. Last month, 26 former pupils wrote an open letter urging Farage to apologise, expressing 'dismay and anger' at his dismissal of the claims.
