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

Hermer remarked that Farage had "obviously deeply hurt" many people, based on their accounts of his actions as a youth. He noted that the politician's "constantly changing" explanations had been difficult to believe.

“In his replies to valid inquiries, not once has Farage truly condemned antisemitism,” Hermer stated to a publication.

Further Testimonies Surface

A published report last month detailed the statements of over a dozen one-time schoolmates of Farage from Dulwich College.

One, a former pupil, recalled that a 13-year-old Farage "came up to me and say: ‘The Nazi leader was correct’ or ‘gas them’, occasionally including a long hiss to simulate the sound of the gas showers”.

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

“He approached a pupil with two tall mates and spoke to anyone looking ‘other’,” the individual said. “That included me on three occasions; questioning me where I was from, and pointing away, saying: ‘Go back that way,’ to any place you said you were from.”

Since then, others have emerged; about 20 people have now alleged they were either subject to or witnesses to hurtful past behaviour by Farage.

The behaviour they outlined cover the period when Farage was aged between 13 and 18.

Changing Stories

The Reform leader 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 not managed to condemn antisemitism and other forms of racism in a wider sense in his statements.

They also reference his inability to reprimand a party member, a MP, after she complained about the number of people of colour she saw in adverts. She later said sorry for the remarks.

“His constantly changing story about his behaviour to his schoolmates [is] unconvincing, to say the least,” Hermer commented.

He continued: “Claiming that 20 people have somehow recalled incorrectly the same things about his offensive behaviour simply isn’t credible."

Call for Leadership

“If he aspires to be seen as a credible figure for high office, he must address the anxieties of the Jewish community, and say sorry to the those he has clearly deeply hurt by his behaviour,” Hermer said.

“Racism in all its forms is completely opposed to the values of this country and we should not let it to ever become accepted in society.”

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

“It speaks volumes how little he has to say, and the very careful language that both you and I would identify as being written in a specific manner to say something, but also not to say something,” she remarked.

Formal Denials and Subsequent Comments

In formal correspondence prior to the release of the investigation, Farage’s legal team asserted that “the implication that Mr Farage ever engaged in, supported, or led this behaviour is strongly rejected”.

Farage later altered his position in an discussion, saying: “Have I said things 50 years ago that you could interpret as being banter, you could interpret in a modern light today in some way? Perhaps.”

He added that he had “not once intentionally attempted to go and harm anybody”. Farage later released a new statement: “I can tell you categorically that I did not say the things that have been reported as a 13-year-old, so long ago.”