Former Conservative cabinet minister Sajid Javid has publicly called upon Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to issue a formal apology for alleged racist and antisemitic comments made during his schoolboy years. This intervention follows a Guardian investigation that uncovered more than thirty individuals from Farage's time at Dulwich College who have accused him of engaging in racist bullying.
Javid's Personal Perspective on Integration and Accountability
In a candid interview with the Sunday Times Magazine, Javid, who made history in 2018 as the first home secretary from an ethnic minority background, addressed the controversy directly. He stated that Farage's past remarks were "clearly the wrong thing to say", regardless of whether they were intended as banter at the time.
"He could well be a totally different person today," Javid remarked. "But to demonstrate you are a different person, it starts with an apology and he hasn't done that yet. That's what disturbs me."
Background of the Allegations and Farage's Response
The allegations against Nigel Farage include serious claims from former schoolmates. Among the accusers is award-winning Jewish film-maker Peter Ettedgui, who alleges that Farage would say "Hitler was right" and "gas them", while making hissing noises to simulate gas chambers. Farage has consistently denied these accusations, dismissing them as "complete made-up fantasies" driven by political motivation. He maintains he never "directly" targeted anyone with racist or antisemitic abuse or had the "intent" to cause harm.
Broader Context and Calls for Accountability
This is not the first time these allegations have surfaced. In November, a Guardian investigation brought fresh claims to light, prompting a group of twenty-six school contemporaries to write an open letter to Farage the following month. The letter expressed their "dismay and anger" at his dismissal of the allegations and urged him to acknowledge and apologise for his past behaviour.
The letter stated: "What disturbs us is less what happened years ago, hurtful as it was, but rather your refusal to acknowledge your past behaviour or apologise for it."
Javid's Personal Journey and Views on British Society
During the interview, Sajid Javid also reflected on his own family's story of integration. Born in Rochdale to parents who emigrated from Pakistan, Javid could not speak English when he began primary school. He later ascended to hold some of the highest offices in the UK government, including home secretary, health secretary, and chancellor of the exchequer.
Javid offered a positive view of integration in Britain, stating: "If we talk about British Muslims, I think it is a success story of integration. Today Britain has become, in my opinion, the most successful multiracial society on earth." His comments provide a stark contrast to the allegations against Farage, highlighting ongoing national conversations about racism, accountability, and social cohesion.
