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The UK's attorney general, one of the most senior Jewish ministers, has demanded the Reform UK leader to issue an apology to former schoolmates who assert he targeted with racist abuse them during their school days.

Hermer remarked that Farage had "clearly deeply hurt" many people, judging by their testimonies of his past behaviour. He noted that the leader's "constantly changing" denials had been less than credible.

“Throughout his replies to valid inquiries, not once has Farage truly condemned antisemitism,” Hermer told a publication.

Further Testimonies Emerge

A recent investigation last month outlined the testimony of several one-time schoolmates of Farage from a south London school.

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

Another student of colour claimed that when he was about nine, he was subjected to similar treatment by a older Farage.

“He came over to a pupil with two equally tall mates and targeted anyone looking ‘other’,” the individual said. “That involved me on three occasions; questioning me where I was from, and pointing away, saying: ‘Go back that way,’ to any place you answered you were from.”

After the story broke, more people have stepped forward; around two dozen people have now stated they were either victims of or saw highly inappropriate past behaviour by Farage.

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

Denials and Shifting Positions

The Reform leader has denied that anything he did was "explicitly" racist or antisemitic, and has claimed the accusers were being untruthful.

Observers have highlighted that Farage has not managed to condemn antisemitism and other forms of racism in a wider sense in his statements.

They also reference his inability to discipline a party member, a MP, after she made remarks 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 peers [is] unconvincing, to say the least,” Hermer said.

He added: “Claiming that two dozen individuals have all misremembered the same things about his offensive behaviour simply lacks credibility."

Demand for Accountability

“If he wishes to be seen as a credible figure for high office, he must acknowledge the concerns of the Jewish community, and say sorry to the many people he has obviously deeply hurt by his behaviour,” Hermer said.

“Racism in all its forms is abhorrent to the standards of this country and we should not let it to ever become legitimised in public life.”

In a different discussion, the Chancellor said Farage should “speak out” if he wanted to appear as a genuine leader.

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

Formal Denials and Subsequent Comments

In lawyers' communications before the release of the investigation, Farage’s representatives stated that “the suggestion that Mr Farage ever engaged in, supported, or led such conduct is completely refuted”.

Farage later seemingly shifted his position in an appearance, saying: “Have I said things decades ago that you could interpret as being teenage humour, you could interpret in a contemporary context today in a certain manner? Perhaps.”

He added that he had “not once intentionally sought to go and harm anybody”. Farage later released a new statement: “I can tell you definitely that I did not say the things that have been reported aged 13, decades in the past.”