Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has publicly called on Nigel Farage to apologise for alleged racist and antisemitic behaviour during their shared school years, drawing a stark contrast with his own former classmates who have since expressed remorse for the abuse he suffered.
Lammy's Personal Trauma and a Call for Accountability
Lammy, who also serves as Justice Secretary, described the treatment he endured as a teenager in north London in the late 1970s and early 1980s as "quite traumatic, very isolating". The 53-year-old MP revealed that several former schoolmates have since contacted him to apologise for the racial abuse he faced during that era.
He directly contrasted this with the response of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, 61, to allegations from more than twenty of his own contemporaries at Dulwich College in south-east London. "He should do the same," Lammy stated, referring to an apology.
Detailed Allegations from Farage's School Peers
The claims, published in a Guardian investigation, suggest Farage engaged in racist conduct throughout his secondary education. Among the most detailed testimonies is from Peter Ettedgui, an Emmy- and Bafta-winning director. He alleges that a 13-year-old Farage would approach him and growl phrases like "Hitler was right" or "gas them", sometimes adding a hissing sound to mimic gas chambers.
Another former pupil, who was around nine years old at the time, claims he was targeted by a 17-year-old Farage. He recounted that Farage, flanked by friends, would ask minority ethnic children where they were from and then point away, saying "that's the way back" to their stated origin.
Political Repercussions and Widespread Condemnation
Farage has denied the allegations, calling the former classmates politically motivated and insisting nothing he did was "directly" racist or antisemitic. He has conceded that "banter" from that period might be viewed differently today.
However, the response from across the political spectrum has been critical. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer labelled Farage "spineless". Attorney General Richard Hermer noted the Reform leader had failed to condemn antisemitism in any of his responses, arguing that 20 people misremembering the same events was not credible.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan also expressed dismay at Farage's "desperate" denials, relating it to his own childhood experiences. "Being called the P-word at that age doesn't just hurt you, it changes you," Khan said.
Lammy concluded by emphasising the gravity of the situation, given Farage's current role: "He's now the leader of a political party. He should do the right thing and apologise." The deputy PM described the collective testimony from Farage's school peers as "deeply, deeply troubling".
