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The UK's top law officer, one of the most senior Jewish ministers, has called on the Reform UK leader to issue an apology to former schoolmates who claim he racially abused them during their school days.

Hermer said that Farage had "undoubtedly deeply hurt" many people, according to their descriptions of his alleged conduct. He commented that the leader's "evolving" statements had been difficult to believe.

“Throughout his replies to valid inquiries, not once has Farage actually condemned antisemitism,” Hermer told a publication.

Further Testimonies Come to Light

A published report last month documented the accounts of several ex-pupils of Farage from Dulwich College.

One, a former pupil, described that a 13-year-old Farage "would sidle up to me and say: ‘Hitler was right’ or ‘send them to the gas chambers’, sometimes adding a long hiss to imitate the sound of the Nazi gas chambers”.

Another student of colour alleged that when he was about nine, he was singled out by a 17-year-old Farage.

“He approached a pupil flanked by two equally tall mates and addressed anyone looking ‘other’,” the person said. “That involved me on three separate times; inquiring where I was from, and gesturing, saying: ‘Go back that way,’ to wherever you answered you were from.”

Since then, others have stepped forward; about 20 people have now stated they were either victims of or observed highly inappropriate past behaviour by Farage.

The alleged events they recounted cover the period when Farage was aged a teenager.

Denials and Shifting Positions

The political figure has denied that anything he did was "directly" racist or antisemitic, and has claimed the former classmates were not telling the truth.

Observers have pointed out that Farage has neglected to condemn antisemitism and other forms of racism outright in his responses.

They also point to his inability to discipline a fellow Reform MP, Sarah Pochin, after she expressed views about the number of black and brown people she saw in television commercials. She later apologised for the remarks.

“Nigel Farage’s constantly changing story about his behaviour to his Jewish classmates [is] unconvincing, to say the least,” Hermer commented.

He added: “Suggesting that 20 people have somehow recalled incorrectly the same things about his nasty behaviour simply lacks credibility."

Call for Leadership

“If he wants to be seen as a credible figure for high office, he must address the fears of the Jewish community, and apologise to the those he has clearly deeply hurt by his behaviour,” Hermer said.

“Racism in all its forms is completely opposed to the standards of this country and we cannot allow it to ever become normalised in public life.”

In a separate interview, Rachel Reeves said Farage should “speak out” if he wanted to look like a real leader.

“It speaks volumes how very little he has to say, and the guarded phrasing that both you and I would understand as being crafted in a specific manner to communicate, but also avoid saying certain things,” she said.

Formal Denials and Subsequent Comments

In formal correspondence prior to the publication of the report, Farage’s representatives stated that “the implication that Mr Farage ever engaged in, approved of, or led such conduct is strongly rejected”.

Farage later altered his position in an discussion, remarking: “Did I say things decades ago that you could interpret as being playground talk, you could interpret in a today's standards today in a certain manner? Perhaps.”

He commented that he had “not ever purposely sought to go and harm anybody”. Farage afterwards released a fresh denial: “I can tell you categorically that I did not say the things that have been published when I was 13, so long ago.”