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The United Kingdom's attorney general, one of the most senior Jewish ministers, has urged the Reform UK leader to issue an apology to former schoolmates who allege he targeted with racist abuse them during their time at school.

Hermer stated that Farage had "obviously deeply hurt" many people, according to their accounts of his actions as a youth. He noted that the politician's "shifting" statements had been difficult to believe.

“During his replies to valid inquiries, not once has Farage actually condemned antisemitism,” Hermer informed a news outlet.

Fresh Claims Surface

A recent investigation last month detailed the testimony of over a dozen one-time schoolmates of Farage from a south London school.

One, Peter Ettedgui, recalled that a 13-year-old Farage "would approach me and growl: ‘The Nazi leader was correct’ or ‘send them to the gas chambers’, sometimes adding a long hiss to imitate the sound of the gas showers”.

Another student of colour alleged that when he was roughly nine years old, he was subjected to similar treatment by a older Farage.

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

Following the initial report, additional individuals have stepped forward; around two dozen people have now alleged they were either subject to or witnesses to hurtful past behaviour by Farage.

The behaviour they outlined span the period when Farage was aged 13 to 18.

Changing Stories

The political figure has disputed that anything he did was "directly" racist or antisemitic, and has asserted the individuals were being untruthful.

Observers have noted that Farage has failed to condemn antisemitism and other forms of racism in a wider sense in his statements.

They also point to his inability to sanction a colleague in his party, Sarah Pochin, after she made remarks about the number of black and brown people she saw in television commercials. She later apologised for the comments.

“Nigel Farage’s shifting account about his behaviour to his Jewish classmates [is] unconvincing, to say the least,” Hermer stated.

He added: “Arguing that 20 people have all misremembered the same things about his nasty behaviour simply isn’t credible."

Question of Character

“If he wishes to be seen as a credible figure for prime minister, he must acknowledge the anxieties of the Jewish people, and say sorry to the those he has clearly deeply hurt by his behaviour,” Hermer concluded.

“Prejudice in all its forms is completely opposed to the standards of this country and we must not permit it to ever become legitimised in public life.”

In a other comments, Rachel Reeves said Farage should “say something” if he wanted to be considered a true statesman.

“It is very telling how very little he has to say, and the very careful language that both you and I would recognise as being crafted in a particular way to communicate, but also dodge the issue,” she remarked.

Legal Letters and Later Statements

In lawyers' communications prior to the release of the investigation, Farage’s legal team claimed that “the allegation that Mr Farage ever engaged in, supported, or led this behaviour is strongly rejected”.

Farage later seemingly shifted his explanation in an discussion, stating: “Did I say things 50 years ago that you could see as being banter, you could interpret in a modern light today in some sort of way? Yes.”

He commented that he had “never directly attempted to go and hurt anybody”. Farage subsequently put out a fresh denial: “I can tell you definitely that I did not say the things that have been published as a 13-year-old, nearly 50 years ago.”