Former Classmate Confronts Farage Over Alleged School Bullying
Peter Ettedgui, a Bafta- and Emmy-winning director, has come forward with detailed allegations of antisemitic behaviour he experienced from Nigel Farage during their time together at Dulwich College in the 1970s. The claims have resurfaced as Farage campaigns for Reform UK in the current political landscape.
The YouTube Revelation That Triggered Memories
Ettedgui thought he had left his school days behind until the late 2000s, when a friend sent him a YouTube video of Farage addressing EU commissioners. The sight of his former classmate immediately brought back traumatic memories of their time as 13- to 14-year-olds at the prestigious London school.
"My blood froze," Ettedgui recalls. "All I could think of was his 13-year-old self sidling up to me, growling the words 'Hitler was right' and other odious remarks like 'To the gas chambers' and 'Gas them - ssssssssss'."
Farage has since described these comments as mere "banter," but for Ettedgui, they represented his first encounter with what he calls the "oldest hatred" - antisemitism that had claimed generations of his family.
From Reluctance to Public Statement
Initially ambivalent about speaking out, Ettedgui was encouraged by friends to share his experience in 2013. He was put in contact with Channel 4 journalist Michael Crick, who was compiling a report on Farage's alleged racist behaviour at school.
Though he initially declined to participate in the television report, Farage's response to Crick's questions changed his mind. The politician stated: "I said some ridiculous things, not necessarily racist things." Ettedgui describes this as "blatant dishonesty" that made him determined to speak out in the future.
Addressing Farage's Recent Denials
Following Farage's recent denials of antisemitic behaviour in Guardian reports and broadcast interviews, Ettedgui felt compelled to address the politician's points directly.
Farage claims the events happened too long ago for clear recollection, but Ettedgui counters: "How could I not remember? It was the first time I had encountered the 'oldest hatred'." He suggests that if Farage genuinely cannot recall his actions, such memory loss "is perhaps not a great selling point for a potential leader of a country."
The filmmaker vividly recalls "his words, the tone of his voice, his physical posture" as "intensely ingrained" alongside the "emotional impact - degrading, humiliating."
The Question of Intent and Corroboration
Farage has stated he never "directly" abused anyone with intention to hurt, but Ettedgui insists: "He did directly target me and I can tell you that it did hurt."
While Farage's aides describe the situation as "one person's word against another," The Guardian has spoken to approximately 20 people who either witnessed or experienced racist behaviour from Farage during his school years, with several corroborating Ettedgui's specific account.
From 'Misspeaking' to Political Consequences
Farage has suggested he may have simply "misspoken" as a child, but Ettedgui challenges this characterization. "He was not a child. He was 13 to 14 years old when he 'misspoke' to me," he writes, noting this is the age when many cultures and religions mark the transition to adulthood.
Ettedgui was preparing for his barmitzvah during the period Farage was "frequently misspeaking" to him. The abuse made him feel "conflicted about my Jewish heritage, ashamed even."
According to Guardian reports, racist abuse of other pupils allegedly continued until Farage was 18, spanning several years of secondary education.
1970s Context and Modern Parallels
Farage has defended his behaviour as typical 1970s banter that is being misinterpreted through a modern lens. Ettedgui strongly disagrees, stating that "the cruelty of Farage's words transcended typical schoolkid banter even back then in the 1970s."
The director sees troubling parallels between Farage's school behaviour and his current political rhetoric. "When I hear Mr Farage talking about rounding up and deporting hundreds of thousands of human beings, and threatening those with leave to remain or settled status, I cannot help but think of the schoolboy sidling up to me and telling me that 'Hitler was right'."
Ettedgui concludes with two pressing questions: Why has Farage never shown contrition for the offence caused? And has what he views as Farage's "early racist mindset" truly changed with time?
With racist attacks becoming normalised again in the UK, fuelled by populism and far-right movements worldwide, Ettedgui believes scrutiny of Farage's past behaviour and current policies is more important than ever.
