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The United Kingdom's top law officer, one of the most senior Jewish ministers, has called on the Reform UK leader to issue an apology to former schoolmates who allege he racially abused them during their school days.

Hermer remarked that Farage had "clearly deeply hurt" many people, based on their testimonies of his alleged conduct. He commented that the politician's "constantly changing" statements had been unconvincing.

“In his defensive responses to valid inquiries, not once has Farage genuinely condemned antisemitism,” Hermer told a publication.

New Allegations Come to Light

A published report last month detailed the accounts of several one-time schoolmates of Farage from Dulwich College.

One, Peter Ettedgui, recalled that a teenage Farage "would approach me and growl: ‘Hitler was right’ or ‘send them to the gas chambers’, sometimes adding a long hiss to mimic the sound of the Nazi gas chambers”.

Another student of colour stated that when he was roughly nine years old, he was subjected to similar treatment by a 17-year-old Farage.

“He came over to a pupil flanked by two similarly tall mates and targeted anyone looking ‘different’,” the person said. “That included me on three occasions; inquiring where I was from, and motioning, saying: ‘Go back that way,’ to wherever you said you were from.”

After the story broke, additional individuals have emerged; about 20 people have now stated they were either subject to or witnesses to hurtful past behaviour by Farage.

The alleged events they outlined relate to the period when Farage was aged 13 to 18.

Changing Stories

The political figure has denied that anything he did was "directly" racist or antisemitic, and has claimed the individuals were not telling the truth.

Critics have pointed out that Farage has failed to condemn antisemitism and other forms of racism outright in his statements.

They also cite his inability to discipline a colleague in his party, Sarah Pochin, after she made remarks about the number of ethnic minorities she saw in television commercials. She later apologised for the remarks.

“His constantly changing story about his behaviour to his schoolmates [is] not credible, to say the least,” Hermer stated.

He added: “Suggesting that two dozen individuals have somehow recalled incorrectly the same things about his offensive behaviour simply is not believable."

Question of Character

“If he wants to be seen as a credible figure for prime minister, he must address the concerns of the Jewish people, and apologise to the those he has obviously deeply hurt by his behaviour,” Hermer said.

“Racism in all its forms is abhorrent to the principles of this country and we should not let it to ever become legitimised in public life.”

In a different discussion, Rachel Reeves said Farage should “say something” if he wanted to appear as a real leader.

“It says a lot how very little he has to say, and the precisely drafted words that both you and I would identify as being drafted in a certain style to say something, but also not to say something,” she remarked.

Formal Denials and Subsequent Comments

In lawyers' communications prior to the release of the report, Farage’s representatives stated that “the implication that Mr Farage ever engaged in, supported, or led this behaviour is completely refuted”.

Farage later altered his position in an appearance, stating: “Have I said things as a youth that you could see as being playground talk, you could interpret in a contemporary context today in some way? Perhaps.”

He added that he had “not once intentionally attempted to go and upset anybody”. Farage later released a further comment: “I can tell you categorically that I did not say the things that have been published aged 13, nearly 50 years ago.”