Schoolmates Accuse Reform Leader of Historical Racist Behaviour
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has forcefully denied allegations from former classmates that he engaged in racist bullying while attending the prestigious Dulwich College in south London. The 61-year-old politician, who aims to become Britain's next prime minister, addressed claims about his conduct as a teenager at the private school.
Multiple school contemporaries have come forward with disturbing accounts of Farage's behaviour during the 1970s. According to their testimonies, the young Farage targeted ethnic minority pupils with offensive remarks and actions that have been described as racially motivated bullying.
Specific Allegations Surface
Emmy-winning director Peter Ettedgui, now 61, told the Guardian that when both were 13 and 14 years old, Farage would approach him and growl 'Hitler was right' or 'Gas them'. The Reform leader is also accused of singing a 'Gas 'em all' song that referenced killing non-white people.
Further allegations include Farage burning a school roll in a year group when there were reportedly more students with the surname Patel than Smith. Former pupils also claim he told non-white students to 'go back' to their countries of origin.
Farage's Defence and Controversial Responses
When confronted with these historical claims, Farage emphasised the time that has passed since the alleged incidents. 'This is 49 years ago, by the way. Forty-nine years ago,' he stated repeatedly during his response to journalists.
The Reform leader offered a nuanced defence when asked to categorically deny engaging in racial abuse. 'I would never, ever do it in a hurtful or insulting way,' Farage responded, adding that he couldn't remember everything that happened during his early teens.
In a series of exchanges that drew criticism, Farage acknowledged he might have said things that could be 'interpreted as being banter in a playground' but insisted he had 'never directly racially abused anybody'. When pressed on whether he had engaged in racial abuse at school, he qualified his answer with 'Not with intent'.
Political Fallout and Criticism
Labour peer Lord Mike Katz condemned Farage's responses, stating: 'Just when you thought Nigel Farage couldn't sink any lower, he is trying to say abhorrent racist comments, including vile antisemitic insults, doesn't matter.'
Lord Katz added that Farage 'seems to think that you can racially abuse people without it being hurtful and insulting. Let's be crystal clear: you can't.'
The controversy extended to questions about Farage's leadership following the sentencing of Nathan Gill, former leader of Reform in Wales, to 10 and a half years for bribery related to pro-Russian speeches. Farage defended his position by stating 'We are not a police force' when asked about probing MPs for foreign influence.
Liberal Democrat president-elect Josh Babarinde criticised Farage's evasiveness, noting: 'The Reform leader's refusal to deny that he's said these racist remarks is unbecoming from someone who wants to be our next prime minister.'
The ongoing scandal raises fresh questions about historical behaviour in the context of modern political leadership, particularly as Farage positions himself for higher office amid Britain's changing political landscape.
