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The United Kingdom's attorney general, Richard Hermer, has demanded the Reform UK leader to issue an apology to former schoolmates who assert he racially abused them during their years in education.

Hermer remarked that Farage had "undoubtedly deeply hurt" many people, judging by their descriptions of his actions as a youth. He commented that the politician's "constantly changing" denials had been less than credible.

“During his answers to legitimate questions, not once has Farage actually condemned antisemitism,” Hermer told a news outlet.

New Allegations Come to Light

A published report last month outlined the statements of over a dozen one-time schoolmates of Farage from Dulwich College.

One, Peter Ettedgui, said that a 13-year-old Farage "would approach me and say: ‘Hitler was right’ or ‘send them to the gas chambers’, at times making a long hiss to imitate the sound of the gas showers”.

Another minority ethnic pupil stated that when he was about nine, he was singled out by a 17-year-old Farage.

“He approached a pupil with two similarly tall mates and spoke to anyone looking ‘unusual’,” the individual said. “That involved me on three occasions; inquiring where I was from, and pointing away, saying: ‘That's how you get back,’ to wherever you answered you were from.”

Following the initial report, additional individuals have come forward; about 20 people have now alleged they were either victims of or observed hurtful past behaviour by Farage.

The incidents they described relate to the period when Farage was aged 13 to 18.

Denials and Shifting Positions

The political figure has disputed that anything he did was "blatantly" racist or antisemitic, and has asserted the former classmates were misremembering.

Commentators have highlighted that Farage has failed to condemn antisemitism and other forms of racism in a wider sense in his denials.

They also reference his failure to sanction a fellow Reform MP, a MP, after she complained about the number of ethnic minorities she saw in television commercials. She later apologised for the comments.

“His evolving narrative about his behaviour to his schoolmates [is] unconvincing, to say the least,” Hermer said.

He went on to say: “Suggesting that 20 people have somehow forgotten the same things about his offensive behaviour simply is not believable."

Call for Leadership

“If he wishes to be seen as a credible figure for the top job, he has to acknowledge the concerns of the Jewish people, and say sorry to the those he has obviously deeply hurt by his behaviour,” Hermer stated.

“Bigotry in all its forms is anathema to the values of this country and we cannot allow it to ever become accepted in public life.”

In a separate interview, Rachel Reeves said Farage should “make a statement” if he wanted to be considered a genuine leader.

“It says a lot how very little he has to say, and the very careful language that both you and I would identify as being crafted in a specific manner to say something, but also not to say something,” she said.

Formal Denials and Subsequent Comments

In formal correspondence before the publication of the report, Farage’s legal team claimed that “the allegation that Mr Farage ever took part in, supported, or led this behaviour is completely refuted”.

Farage later appeared to change his position in an interview, saying: “Did I say things 50 years ago that you could interpret as being teenage humour, you could interpret in a contemporary context today in a certain manner? Possibly.”

He added that he had “not once intentionally attempted to go and upset anybody”. Farage afterwards put out a new statement: “I can tell you categorically that I did not say the things that have been reported when I was 13, so long ago.”