Top Law Officer Calls On Nigel Farage to Say Sorry Over Alleged Antisemitic and Racist Behaviour.

The United Kingdom's attorney general, one of the most senior Jewish ministers, has demanded Nigel Farage to apologise to school contemporaries who claim he racially abused them during their time at school.

Hermer stated that Farage had "obviously deeply hurt" many people, judging by their descriptions of his actions as a youth. He added that the leader's "evolving" denials had been less than credible.

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

Further Testimonies Surface

A series of inquiries last month outlined the statements of several ex-pupils of Farage from Dulwich College.

One, Peter Ettedgui, described that a teenage Farage "came up to me and growl: ‘Hitler was right’ or ‘gas them’, at times making a long hiss to imitate the sound of the gas showers”.

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

“He walked up to a pupil accompanied by two tall mates and targeted anyone looking ‘other’,” the individual said. “That involved me on three occasions; inquiring where I was from, and motioning, saying: ‘That's how you get back,’ to any place you answered you were from.”

Since then, more people have come forward; about 20 people have now alleged they were either targets of or saw highly inappropriate conduct by Farage.

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

Denials and Shifting Positions

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

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

They also reference 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 expressed regret for the remarks.

“Nigel Farage’s constantly changing story about his behaviour to his Jewish classmates [is] hard to believe, to say the least,” Hermer said.

He went on to say: “Arguing that 20 people have somehow forgotten the same things about his offensive behaviour simply is not believable."

Question of Character

“If he aspires to be seen as a legitimate candidate for prime minister, he must acknowledge the fears of the Jewish people, and say sorry to the many people he has clearly deeply hurt by his behaviour,” Hermer said.

“Prejudice in all its forms is anathema to the values of this country and we cannot allow it to ever become legitimised in society.”

In a different discussion, Rachel Reeves said Farage should “speak out” if he wanted to be considered a true statesman.

“It speaks volumes how very little he has to say, and the precisely drafted words that both you and I would identify as being crafted in a particular way to say something, but also avoid saying certain things,” she noted.

Legal Letters and Later Statements

In formal correspondence prior to the publication of the investigation, Farage’s legal team asserted that “the implication that Mr Farage ever took part in, condoned, or led such conduct is strongly rejected”.

Farage later altered his position in an appearance, stating: “Did I say things 50 years ago that you could interpret as being banter, you could interpret in a modern light today in some way? Perhaps.”

He commented that he had “not ever purposely attempted to go and upset anybody”. Farage subsequently issued a further comment: “I can tell you categorically that I did not say the things that have been reported when I was 13, decades in the past.”