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The UK's top law officer, one of the most senior Jewish ministers, has demanded Nigel Farage to apologise to former schoolmates who claim he targeted with racist abuse them during their school days.

Hermer remarked that Farage had "clearly deeply hurt" many people, according to their accounts of his alleged conduct. He commented that the leader's "shifting" denials had been difficult to believe.

“Throughout his replies to valid inquiries, not once has Farage genuinely condemned antisemitism,” Hermer informed a news outlet.

New Allegations Emerge

A published report last month outlined the statements of over a dozen ex-pupils of Farage from a private college.

One, Peter Ettedgui, recalled that a 13-year-old Farage "would approach me and say: ‘The Nazi leader was correct’ or ‘send them to the gas chambers’, at times making a long hiss to simulate the sound of the Nazi gas chambers”.

Another pupil from an ethnic minority stated that when he was roughly nine years old, he was similarly targeted by a older Farage.

“He walked up to a pupil accompanied by two tall mates and addressed anyone looking ‘unusual’,” the individual said. “That included me on three separate times; inquiring 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; about 20 people have now alleged they were either targets of or observed hurtful conduct by Farage.

The alleged events they recounted span the period when Farage was aged 13 to 18.

Evolving Explanations

The Reform leader 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 more broadly in his statements.

They also cite his inability to sanction a colleague in his party, Sarah Pochin, after she complained about the number of people of colour she saw in television commercials. She later said sorry for the statements.

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

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

Demand for Accountability

“If he aspires to be seen as a credible figure for high office, he urgently needs acknowledge the fears of the Jewish community, and apologise to the numerous individuals he has clearly deeply hurt by his behaviour,” Hermer said.

“Racism in all its forms is anathema to the values of this country and we cannot allow it to ever become accepted in public life.”

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

“It is very telling how very little he has to say, and the guarded phrasing that both you and I would identify as being drafted in a certain style to communicate, but also dodge the issue,” she remarked.

Legal Letters and Later Statements

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

Farage later seemingly shifted his position in an interview, stating: “Did I say things decades ago that you could see as being banter, you could interpret in a modern light today in some sort of way? Perhaps.”

He added that he had “not once intentionally attempted to go and hurt anybody”. Farage subsequently issued a new statement: “I can tell you unequivocally that I did not say the things that have been printed when I was 13, decades in the past.”