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The UK's attorney general, one of the most senior Jewish ministers, has called on Nigel Farage to issue an apology to former schoolmates who allege he targeted with racist abuse them during their time at school.

Hermer stated that Farage had "obviously deeply hurt" many people, according to their testimonies of his actions as a youth. He added that the leader's "constantly changing" denials had been less than credible.

“In his replies to legitimate questions, not once has Farage truly condemned antisemitism,” Hermer informed a publication.

Fresh Claims Come to Light

A series of inquiries last month detailed the accounts of over a dozen ex-pupils of Farage from Dulwich College.

One, Peter Ettedgui, described that a 13-year-old Farage "came up to me and utter: ‘The Nazi leader was correct’ or ‘gas them’, occasionally including a long hiss to mimic the sound of the Nazi gas chambers”.

Another minority ethnic pupil stated that when he was about nine, he was subjected to similar treatment by a 17-year-old Farage.

“He approached a pupil accompanied by two equally tall mates and spoke to anyone looking ‘unusual’,” the individual said. “That happened to me on three occasions; asking me where I was from, and gesturing, saying: ‘That's how you get back,’ to wherever you replied you were from.”

Since then, more people have emerged; approximately twenty people have now stated they were either victims of or observed hurtful past behaviour by Farage.

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

Changing Stories

The political figure has denied that anything he did was "blatantly" racist or antisemitic, and has suggested the individuals were being untruthful.

Critics have noted that Farage has neglected to condemn antisemitism and other forms of racism more broadly in his denials.

They also cite his inability to sanction a party member, a MP, after she made remarks about the number of people of colour she saw in adverts. She later said sorry for the statements.

“Nigel Farage’s constantly changing story about his behaviour to his Jewish classmates [is] not credible, to say the least,” Hermer commented.

He continued: “Claiming that 20 people have all recalled incorrectly the same things about his offensive behaviour simply lacks credibility."

Question of Character

“If he wishes to be seen as a legitimate candidate for high office, he urgently needs acknowledge the fears of the Jewish people, and say sorry to the those he has clearly deeply hurt by his behaviour,” Hermer stated.

“Racism in all its forms is abhorrent to the values of this country and we must not permit it to ever become normalised in society.”

In a other comments, Rachel Reeves said Farage should “speak out” if he wanted to appear as a real leader.

“It speaks volumes how little he has to say, and the precisely drafted words that both you and I would understand as being written in a particular way to say something, but also dodge the issue,” she remarked.

Legal Letters and Later Statements

In lawyers' communications before the publication of the report, Farage’s representatives stated that “the allegation that Mr Farage ever engaged in, approved of, or led such conduct is completely refuted”.

Farage later altered his stance in an appearance, stating: “Have I said things decades ago that you could see as being banter, you could interpret in a contemporary context today in some sort of way? Perhaps.”

He said that he had “not once intentionally really tried to go and hurt anybody”. Farage afterwards issued a further comment: “I can tell you definitely that I did not say the things that have been printed as a 13-year-old, nearly 50 years ago.”