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The United Kingdom's top law officer, one of the most senior Jewish ministers, has called on Nigel Farage to issue an apology to school contemporaries who claim he racially abused them during their time at school.

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

“During his replies to legitimate questions, not once has Farage truly condemned antisemitism,” Hermer stated to a publication.

Fresh Claims Come to Light

A recent investigation last month detailed the statements of several ex-pupils of Farage from a south London school.

One, a former pupil, said that a 13-year-old Farage "would sidle up to me and utter: ‘The Nazi leader was correct’ or ‘gas them’, sometimes adding a long hiss to mimic the sound of the Nazi gas chambers”.

Another student of colour claimed that when he was roughly nine years old, he was subjected to similar treatment by a 17-year-old Farage.

“He approached a pupil with two equally tall mates and addressed anyone looking ‘other’,” the individual said. “That included me on three separate times; asking me where I was from, and motioning, saying: ‘That's how you get back,’ to wherever you replied you were from.”

Following the initial report, more people have come forward; approximately twenty people have now claimed they were either victims of or witnesses to deeply offensive past behaviour by Farage.

The incidents they outlined relate to the period when Farage was aged a teenager.

Evolving Explanations

The political figure has disputed that anything he did was "directly" racist or antisemitic, and has claimed the former classmates were being untruthful.

Observers have noted that Farage has failed to condemn antisemitism and other forms of racism outright in his statements.

They also reference his failure to discipline a fellow Reform MP, Sarah Pochin, after she made remarks about the number of black and brown people she saw in television commercials. She later expressed regret for the remarks.

“Nigel Farage’s shifting account about his behaviour to his peers [is] hard to believe, to say the least,” Hermer said.

He continued: “Suggesting that a group of people have all recalled incorrectly the same things about his offensive behaviour simply isn’t credible."

Demand for Accountability

“If he wishes to be seen as a serious contender for high office, he must confront the concerns of the Jewish people, and apologise to the numerous individuals he has obviously deeply hurt by his behaviour,” Hermer stated.

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

In a different discussion, a senior politician said Farage should “speak out” if he wanted to be considered a real leader.

“It is very telling how little he has to say, and the precisely drafted words that both you and I would identify as being written in a particular way to communicate, but also dodge the issue,” she remarked.

Legal Letters and Later Statements

In legal letters prior to the release of the report, Farage’s representatives stated that “the allegation that Mr Farage ever was involved in, supported, or led this behaviour is strongly rejected”.

Farage later altered his explanation in an interview, saying: “Have I said things decades ago that you could view as being banter, you could interpret in a contemporary context today in a certain manner? Perhaps.”

He added that he had “never directly attempted to go and upset anybody”. Farage afterwards issued a further comment: “I can tell you definitely that I did not say the things that have been published as a 13-year-old, so long ago.”