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The UK's attorney general, Richard Hermer, has called on Nigel Farage to issue an apology to former schoolmates who claim he targeted with racist abuse them during their time at school.

Hermer stated that Farage had "obviously deeply hurt" many people, based on their testimonies of his alleged conduct. He added that the politician's "constantly changing" denials had been unconvincing.

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

Fresh Claims Come to Light

A published report last month documented the statements of several ex-pupils of Farage from Dulwich College.

One, Peter Ettedgui, recalled that a 13-year-old Farage "came up to me and growl: ‘The Nazi leader was correct’ or ‘send them to the gas chambers’, sometimes adding a long hiss to mimic the sound of the gas showers”.

Another student of colour stated that when he was about nine, he was similarly targeted by a 17-year-old Farage.

“He walked up to a pupil flanked by two equally tall mates and spoke to anyone looking ‘different’,” the individual said. “That involved me on three separate times; inquiring where I was from, and gesturing, saying: ‘Go back that way,’ to any place you replied you were from.”

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

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

Denials and Shifting Positions

The political figure has rejected that anything he did was "directly" racist or antisemitic, and has claimed the individuals were not telling the truth.

Commentators have noted that Farage has neglected to condemn antisemitism and other forms of racism more broadly in his responses.

They also cite his reluctance to sanction 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 Jewish classmates [is] not credible, to say the least,” Hermer said.

He added: “Arguing that 20 people have all recalled incorrectly the same things about his nasty behaviour simply isn’t credible."

Question of Character

“If he wishes to be seen as a legitimate candidate for the top job, he must address the fears of the Jewish community, and say sorry to the those he has clearly deeply hurt by his behaviour,” Hermer said.

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

In a different discussion, a senior politician said Farage should “speak out” if he wanted to look like a true statesman.

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

Legal Letters and Later Statements

In formal correspondence before the publication of the report, Farage’s lawyers stated that “the suggestion that Mr Farage ever took part in, condoned, or led racist or antisemitic behaviour is strongly rejected”.

Farage later altered his stance in an interview, stating: “Have I said things as a youth that you could see as being teenage humour, you could interpret in a modern light today in a certain manner? Possibly.”

He commented that he had “not once intentionally attempted to go and hurt anybody”. Farage afterwards issued a fresh denial: “I can tell you definitely that I did not say the things that have been printed when I was 13, decades in the past.”