Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, is confronting a significant and escalating controversy over allegations of racist and antisemitic behaviour during his time as a pupil at Dulwich College in the 1970s. The claims, which he has consistently dismissed as politically motivated, have resurfaced with new force as his prospects of entering Downing Street appear to strengthen.
Shocking Accounts from Former Classmates
The allegations, detailed by former pupils, paint a deeply disturbing picture. Jean-Pierre Lihou has stated that Farage used to sing a song referencing Nazi gas chambers, with lyrics beginning "gas them all, gas them out". Lihou further claims Farage suggested non-white pupils should be "sent home" and remarked on the number of pupils with the surname Patel at the prestigious south London school.
Another contemporary, Stefan Benarroch, told Sky News he was "terrified" by Farage and a "gang of bullies" who he says targeted him and other Jewish boys on their way back from Friday prayers. The Guardian's investigation last month reported that 28 former teachers and pupils have now come forward with accounts of witnessing similar behaviour.
Political Pressure and Farage's Defence
The renewed focus has triggered a strong political reaction. Both the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats have urged Farage to "come clean" and apologise. While the Conservatives have also suggested an apology is due if the claims are true, Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch offered a more nuanced view, noting the difference between teenage and adult conduct.
In a forceful rebuttal, Farage has insisted he has "never directly racially abused anybody" and characterises the claims as exaggerated "schoolboy banter". He has accused the media of "double standards", pointing to mainstream television content from the same era. Reform UK has attacked Sky News directly, accusing it of a desperate attempt to derail the party's election campaign.
The Electoral Jeopardy for Reform UK
The critical question now is whether these damaging allegations will influence voters. With the next general election on the horizon, Reform UK has been riding a wave of polling success, largely at the expense of the Conservatives. The party faces clear jeopardy: will these stories deter wavering Tory voters and others who have been considering a switch to Reform?
A group of Holocaust survivors has called on Farage to either admit to and apologise for the alleged comments, or publicly accuse his former classmates of lying. As the story continues to grow rather than fade, the Reform leader's handling of this personal and political crisis may prove pivotal in the final weeks before the country goes to the polls.
