Top Law Officer Calls On Reform UK Leader to Say Sorry Over Alleged Antisemitic and Racist Behaviour.

The UK's top law officer, one of the most senior Jewish ministers, has called on Nigel Farage to issue an apology to school contemporaries who allege he racially abused them during their school days.

Hermer remarked that Farage had "obviously deeply hurt" many people, according to their accounts of his actions as a youth. He commented that the politician's "constantly changing" statements had been unconvincing.

“During his answers to legitimate questions, not once has Farage genuinely condemned antisemitism,” Hermer informed a news outlet.

Further Testimonies Surface

A series of inquiries last month outlined the accounts of more than a dozen one-time schoolmates of Farage from a private college.

One, a former pupil, recalled that a teenage Farage "would approach me and utter: ‘Hitler was right’ or ‘send them to the gas chambers’, at times making a long hiss to imitate the sound of the gas showers”.

Another student of colour alleged that when he was about nine, he was singled out by a older Farage.

“He walked up to a pupil flanked by two equally tall mates and targeted anyone looking ‘unusual’,” the individual said. “That happened to me on three separate times; questioning me where I was from, and motioning, saying: ‘That’s the way back,’ to wherever you answered you were from.”

Following the initial report, more people have stepped forward; about 20 people have now alleged they were either victims of or saw highly inappropriate actions by Farage.

The incidents they outlined relate to the period when Farage was aged between 13 and 18.

Evolving Explanations

The political figure has disputed that anything he did was "blatantly" racist or antisemitic, and has claimed the accusers were being untruthful.

Commentators have pointed out that Farage has neglected to condemn antisemitism and other forms of racism outright in his denials.

They also point to his failure to sanction a party member, a MP, after she expressed views about the number of ethnic minorities she saw in television commercials. She later apologised for the statements.

“His evolving narrative about his behaviour to his Jewish classmates [is] hard to believe, to say the least,” Hermer said.

He continued: “Suggesting that 20 people have somehow recalled incorrectly the same things about his offensive behaviour simply is not believable."

Demand for Accountability

“If he aspires to be seen as a legitimate candidate for high office, he has to acknowledge the concerns of the Jewish people, and say sorry to the those he has obviously deeply hurt by his behaviour,” Hermer concluded.

“Racism in all its forms is completely opposed to the principles of this country and we cannot allow it to ever become accepted in society.”

In a separate interview, the Chancellor said Farage should “say something” if he wanted to be considered a true statesman.

“It says a lot how very little he has to say, and the very careful language that both you and I would identify as being drafted in a specific manner to communicate, but also not to say something,” she noted.

Formal Denials and Subsequent Comments

In legal letters before the publication of the investigation, Farage’s legal team asserted that “the implication that Mr Farage ever engaged in, approved of, or led such conduct is categorically denied”.

Farage later seemingly shifted his stance in an discussion, saying: “Did I say things as a youth that you could view as being teenage humour, you could interpret in a contemporary context today in some way? Possibly.”

He commented that he had “not ever purposely really tried to go and hurt anybody”. Farage afterwards put out a new statement: “I can tell you categorically that I did not say the things that have been printed aged 13, so long ago.”