Reform UK Leader Faces Fresh Allegations from School Days
New accusations of racism and antisemitism against Nigel Farage during his time as a teenager at Dulwich College have emerged, with former pupils claiming such behaviour was commonplace at British public schools during the 1970s. The revelations come from multiple individuals who attended similar institutions during the same period.
'Deeply Shocking' Behaviour Was Considered Normal
One former pupil, who attended a private boys' school similar to Dulwich College and was also in the combined cadet force, described how racist behaviour was completely normalised during that era. Speaking anonymously, they confessed to even joining in antisemitic behaviour despite having a parent who was a refugee from the Nazis, expressing shame about their actions today.
The former student highlighted how teachers at the time largely dismissed such behaviour as 'high spirits' or 'naughtiness' rather than addressing its serious nature. They argued that private schools built to train young Englishmen for empire-building remained deeply racist even into the 1980s.
Systemic Prejudice in Elite Education
Another account comes from Richard Gordon Hartley, who attended one of the country's top public schools during the same period. He states he constantly witnessed racism directed at Jewish, Indian/Pakistani, and African-origin students, who faced daily abuse including racial slurs.
Hartley recalls a mock school election in 1979 when the National Front won, coinciding with Margaret Thatcher becoming prime minister. He also remembers speakers like Patrick Moore and Enoch Powell receiving applause for their inflammatory views when they visited the school.
The anonymous former pupil described specific examples of institutional prejudice, including his school maintaining a quota for Jewish pupils and a German teacher who routinely humiliated the only Muslim student in class.
Lasting Impact of Educational Environment
These accounts suggest Farage's alleged behaviour should be understood within the context of institutions that condoned or even encouraged racism while equipping pupils with the confidence and charm to make others admire them. The environment reportedly taught students they were superior to others.
While schools like Dulwich College may claim to have changed since the 1970s, critics argue that as long as such institutions continue educating pupils to believe they're better than others, similar attitudes may persist among future graduates.
