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The UK's attorney general, one of the most senior Jewish ministers, has called on the Reform UK leader to apologise to school contemporaries who assert he racially abused them during their years in education.

Hermer stated that Farage had "undoubtedly deeply hurt" many people, based on their descriptions of his past behaviour. He added that the politician's "evolving" statements had been difficult to believe.

“During his defensive responses to valid inquiries, not once has Farage actually condemned antisemitism,” Hermer stated to a publication.

New Allegations Surface

A recent investigation last month documented the statements of several one-time schoolmates of Farage from Dulwich College.

One, Peter Ettedgui, described that a teenage Farage "would approach me and utter: ‘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 claimed that when he was about nine, he was similarly targeted by a older Farage.

“He came over to a pupil flanked by two similarly tall mates and addressed anyone looking ‘different’,” the former student said. “That included me on three separate times; asking me where I was from, and pointing away, saying: ‘That’s the way back,’ to wherever you replied you were from.”

Following the initial report, more people have emerged; about 20 people have now alleged they were either victims of or observed highly inappropriate past behaviour by Farage.

The behaviour they outlined span the period when Farage was aged a teenager.

Evolving Explanations

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

Critics have pointed out that Farage has failed to condemn antisemitism and other forms of racism in a wider sense in his responses.

They also cite his failure to sanction a party member, Sarah Pochin, after she expressed views about the number of ethnic minorities she saw in television commercials. She later expressed regret for the statements.

“His shifting account about his behaviour to his peers [is] unconvincing, to say the least,” Hermer stated.

He went on to say: “Claiming that a group of people have somehow forgotten the same things about his hurtful behaviour simply lacks credibility."

Question of Character

“If he wants to be seen as a legitimate candidate for high office, he has to acknowledge the anxieties of the Jewish people, and apologise to the many people he has obviously deeply hurt by his behaviour,” Hermer said.

“Racism in all its forms is anathema to the standards of this country and we should not let it to ever become accepted in public life.”

In a other comments, a senior politician said Farage should “speak out” if he wanted to appear as a real leader.

“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 written in a specific manner to say something, but also avoid saying certain things,” she noted.

Legal Letters and Later Statements

In formal correspondence prior to the release of the investigation, Farage’s lawyers stated that “the allegation that Mr Farage ever took part in, supported, or led racist or antisemitic behaviour is completely refuted”.

Farage later seemingly shifted his explanation in an interview, saying: “Did I say things as a youth that you could see as being banter, you could interpret in a modern light today in a certain manner? Perhaps.”

He said that he had “not ever purposely attempted to go and hurt anybody”. Farage subsequently released a further comment: “I can tell you definitely that I did not say the things that have been reported aged 13, nearly 50 years ago.”