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The UK's attorney general, Richard Hermer, has urged Nigel Farage to apologise to school contemporaries who allege he racially abused them during their years in education.

Hermer remarked that Farage had "undoubtedly deeply hurt" many people, according to their testimonies of his alleged conduct. He noted that the leader's "shifting" denials had been less than credible.

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

Fresh Claims Come to Light

A published report last month documented the accounts of over a dozen former classmates of Farage from a private college.

One, Peter Ettedgui, described that a teenage Farage "came up to me and utter: ‘The Nazi leader was correct’ or ‘send them to the gas chambers’, at times making a long hiss to imitate the sound of the Nazi gas chambers”.

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

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

Following the initial report, additional individuals have come forward; about 20 people have now stated they were either victims of or witnesses to hurtful actions by Farage.

The behaviour they described relate to the period when Farage was aged between 13 and 18.

Evolving Explanations

The political figure has rejected that anything he did was "blatantly" racist or antisemitic, and has claimed the individuals were being untruthful.

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

They also reference his reluctance to discipline a fellow Reform MP, Sarah Pochin, after she expressed views about the number of people of colour she saw in adverts. She later said sorry for the remarks.

“Nigel Farage’s evolving narrative about his behaviour to his Jewish classmates [is] hard to believe, to say the least,” Hermer commented.

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

Demand for Accountability

“If he aspires to be seen as a credible figure for high office, he urgently needs acknowledge the anxieties of the Jewish community, and say sorry to the those 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 must not permit it to ever become accepted in society.”

In a different discussion, the Chancellor said Farage should “speak out” if he wanted to appear as a real 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 dodge the issue,” she said.

Formal Denials and Subsequent Comments

In lawyers' communications prior to the release of the investigation, Farage’s representatives stated that “the suggestion that Mr Farage ever took part in, approved of, or led this behaviour is completely refuted”.

Farage later appeared to change his explanation in an appearance, saying: “Have I said things decades ago that you could interpret as being banter, you could interpret in a contemporary context today in some sort of way? Perhaps.”

He commented that he had “not once intentionally sought to go and hurt anybody”. Farage afterwards put out a further comment: “I can tell you definitely that I did not say the things that have been published aged 13, decades in the past.”