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The UK's attorney general, Richard Hermer, has demanded Nigel Farage to apologise to former schoolmates who claim he racially abused them during their time at school.

Hermer stated that Farage had "undoubtedly deeply hurt" many people, judging by their accounts of his alleged conduct. He noted that the leader's "constantly changing" denials had been unconvincing.

“In his answers to legitimate questions, not once has Farage genuinely condemned antisemitism,” Hermer told a news outlet.

Further Testimonies Emerge

A series of inquiries last month detailed the accounts of more than a dozen one-time schoolmates of Farage from a south London school.

One, a former pupil, described that a teenage Farage "would sidle up to me and utter: ‘The Nazi leader was correct’ or ‘send them to the gas chambers’, at times making a long hiss to mimic the sound of the gas showers”.

Another pupil from an ethnic minority claimed that when he was about nine, he was subjected to similar treatment by a older Farage.

“He came over to a pupil accompanied by two similarly tall mates and targeted anyone looking ‘different’,” the individual said. “That involved me on three occasions; asking me where I was from, and motioning, saying: ‘That’s the way back,’ to wherever you said you were from.”

Following the initial report, additional individuals have stepped forward; approximately twenty people have now stated they were either victims of or observed highly inappropriate conduct by Farage.

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

Evolving Explanations

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

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

They also point to his inability to reprimand a fellow Reform MP, Sarah Pochin, after she expressed views about the number of people of colour she saw in adverts. She later expressed regret for the remarks.

“His shifting account about his behaviour to his peers [is] not credible, to say the least,” Hermer stated.

He went on to say: “Arguing that two dozen individuals have all misremembered the same things about his nasty behaviour simply is not believable."

Question of Character

“If he aspires to be seen as a serious contender for prime minister, he urgently needs acknowledge the anxieties of the Jewish people, and say sorry to the many people he has clearly deeply hurt by his behaviour,” Hermer stated.

“Racism in all its forms is abhorrent to the principles of this country and we cannot allow it to ever become normalised in public life.”

In a different discussion, the Chancellor said Farage should “make a statement” if he wanted to be considered a genuine leader.

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

Legal Letters and Later Statements

In formal correspondence prior to the release of the report, Farage’s representatives claimed that “the suggestion that Mr Farage ever was involved in, approved of, or led racist or antisemitic behaviour is categorically denied”.

Farage later appeared to change his explanation in an interview, stating: “Did I say things 50 years ago that you could see as being teenage humour, you could interpret in a modern light today in a certain manner? Yes.”

He added that he had “not once intentionally sought to go and harm anybody”. Farage later put out a fresh denial: “I can tell you definitely that I did not say the things that have been printed when I was 13, so long ago.”