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The UK's attorney general, Richard Hermer, has demanded the Reform UK leader to apologise to former schoolmates who assert he racially abused them during their time at school.

Hermer remarked that Farage had "obviously deeply hurt" many people, judging by their descriptions of his actions as a youth. He noted that the politician's "shifting" explanations had been difficult to believe.

“Throughout his defensive responses to legitimate questions, not once has Farage actually condemned antisemitism,” Hermer told a news outlet.

Further Testimonies Come to Light

A series of inquiries last month outlined the testimony of over a dozen one-time schoolmates of Farage from a south London school.

One, a former pupil, said that a teenage Farage "would approach me and growl: ‘Hitler was right’ or ‘gas them’, at times making a long hiss to mimic the sound of the gas showers”.

Another student of colour stated that when he was roughly nine years old, he was subjected to similar treatment by a older Farage.

“He approached a pupil accompanied by two tall mates and spoke to anyone looking ‘different’,” the individual said. “That happened to me on three separate times; inquiring where I was from, and motioning, saying: ‘That's how you get back,’ to any place you replied you were from.”

Following the initial report, more people have stepped forward; about 20 people have now alleged they were either targets of or saw deeply offensive conduct by Farage.

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

Denials and Shifting Positions

The political figure has disputed that anything he did was "blatantly" racist or antisemitic, and has suggested the accusers were misremembering.

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

They also cite his reluctance to sanction a colleague in his party, Sarah Pochin, after she expressed views about the number of black and brown people she saw in television commercials. She later apologised for the remarks.

“His shifting account about his behaviour to his schoolmates [is] unconvincing, to say the least,” Hermer commented.

He went on to say: “Arguing that 20 people have all recalled incorrectly the same things about his nasty behaviour simply is not believable."

Question of Character

“If he wants to be seen as a credible figure for high office, he has to address the fears of the Jewish people, and apologise to the many people he has obviously deeply hurt by his behaviour,” Hermer said.

“Bigotry in all its forms is completely opposed to the principles of this country and we cannot allow it to ever become accepted in public life.”

In a separate interview, a senior politician said Farage should “speak out” if he wanted to be considered a genuine leader.

“It says a lot how little he has to say, and the precisely drafted words that both you and I would recognise as being drafted in a particular way to say something, but also not to say something,” she remarked.

Legal Letters and Later Statements

In legal letters prior to the release of the report, Farage’s lawyers stated that “the suggestion that Mr Farage ever took part in, condoned, or led such conduct is strongly rejected”.

Farage later appeared to change his explanation in an appearance, stating: “Have I said things 50 years ago that you could interpret as being teenage humour, you could interpret in a contemporary context today in a certain manner? Possibly.”

He commented that he had “not once intentionally sought to go and hurt anybody”. Farage subsequently issued a new statement: “I can tell you categorically that I did not say the things that have been published aged 13, nearly 50 years ago.”