Nigel Farage has publicly clashed with journalists over historical racism allegations, vehemently denying claims about his behaviour as a schoolboy while suggesting political motivations behind the accusations.
Press Conference Confrontation
During a tense Reform UK press conference, the leader snapped at a reporter questioning him about multiple allegations of racist behaviour during his schooldays. Farage cut short the line of questioning, stating: "I think we've gone quite a long way towards answering all this, don't you?"
The political figure, known for his willingness to field numerous questions from journalists, took only 10 inquiries on this occasion and notably excluded the Guardian from his responses.
The Allegations and Denials
Farage specifically addressed the claims made by film director Peter Ettedgui, describing him as the "one person that said I directly abused him." He expressed conditional regret, stating: "One person says they were hurt, and if they feel they were hurt, then I'm genuinely sorry. But I never, ever, ever would have said or done anything like that directly to a human being."
However, multiple witnesses contradict Farage's account. Ettedgui, who was Jewish, recalls Farage approaching him to growl "Hitler was right" or "gas them," sometimes adding a hissing sound to simulate gas chambers.
Additional allegations have emerged from other contemporaries. Cyrus Oshidar claims Farage repeatedly called him a "Paki," while another former pupil from an ethnic minority background described being directly targeted on three separate occasions.
Witness Corroboration
Contrary to Farage's suggestion that Ettedgui stands alone in his allegations, seven other school contemporaries have come forward confirming they witnessed antisemitic abuse directed at Ettedgui.
Stefan Benarroch recalled: "Ettedgui was such a gentle soul and Farage made his life a fucking nightmare." He described how Jewish students were identified and targeted after religious services.
Rickard Berg testified to hearing Farage sing "Gas 'em all" to Ettedgui, while Anthony Butler remembered "relentlessly hectoring and bullying Ettedgui with shouts of 'stupid yid' in the playground."
Further accounts from Jean-Pierre Lihou, Bob Jope (a former teacher), and Martin Rosell all support the pattern of antisemitic behaviour directed at Ettedgui.
Political Motivation Claims Challenged
Farage has suggested that many of the more than 20 people making claims about his school behaviour did so for political reasons, stating: "What they do say, they do say, very clearly, is they have different political views to me."
Analysis reveals that the overwhelming majority of contemporaries who spoke to the Guardian are not active in party politics. While some disagree with Farage's political stance, they maintain they came forward primarily due to his denials about past behaviour and their expectation that he should show contrition.
The exception is Martin Rosell, chair of the Liberal Democrats in Salisbury, whose account is supported by multiple other witnesses. Farage had been informed about Rosell's political affiliation prior to publication.
Roger Gough, a former Conservative leader of Kent County Council cited by Farage as an example of political motivation, was not among those who made claims to the Guardian about witnessing or experiencing racist behaviour.
