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The UK's top law officer, one of the most senior Jewish ministers, has demanded the Reform UK leader to apologise to school contemporaries who claim he targeted with racist abuse them during their years in education.

Hermer said that Farage had "undoubtedly deeply hurt" many people, based on their testimonies of his actions as a youth. He noted that the politician's "constantly changing" explanations had been less than credible.

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

Fresh Claims Come to Light

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

One, Peter Ettedgui, recalled that a teenage Farage "would sidle up to me and growl: ‘Hitler was right’ or ‘send them to the gas chambers’, occasionally including a long hiss to mimic the sound of the gas showers”.

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

“He came over to a pupil accompanied by two equally tall mates and spoke to anyone looking ‘different’,” the person said. “That happened to me on three separate times; asking me where I was from, and pointing away, saying: ‘That’s the way back,’ to any place you replied you were from.”

After the story broke, more people have come forward; about 20 people have now stated they were either victims of or observed highly inappropriate actions by Farage.

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

Evolving Explanations

The Reform leader has disputed that anything he did was "blatantly" racist or antisemitic, and has suggested the individuals were misremembering.

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

They also point to his failure to discipline a fellow Reform MP, a MP, after she expressed views about the number of black and brown people she saw in adverts. She later apologised for the comments.

“His shifting account about his behaviour to his peers [is] hard to believe, to say the least,” Hermer commented.

He added: “Arguing that a group of people have somehow misremembered the same things about his hurtful behaviour simply lacks credibility."

Question of Character

“If he wishes to be seen as a serious contender for high office, he must address the concerns of the Jewish community, and say sorry to the numerous individuals he has obviously deeply hurt by his behaviour,” Hermer concluded.

“Prejudice in all its forms is completely opposed to the principles of this country and we should not let it to ever become accepted in society.”

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

“It is very telling how little he has to say, and the guarded phrasing that both you and I would understand 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 lawyers claimed that “the allegation that Mr Farage ever was involved in, condoned, or led such conduct is strongly rejected”.

Farage later seemingly shifted his stance in an appearance, remarking: “Did I say things 50 years ago that you could see as being teenage humour, you could interpret in a contemporary context today in a certain manner? Perhaps.”

He said that he had “not once intentionally attempted to go and upset anybody”. Farage later issued a new statement: “I can tell you categorically that I did not say the things that have been printed as a 13-year-old, nearly 50 years ago.”