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The United Kingdom's attorney general, Richard Hermer, has demanded Nigel Farage to issue an apology to former schoolmates who claim he racially abused them during their school days.

Hermer said that Farage had "undoubtedly deeply hurt" many people, judging by their descriptions of his past behaviour. He noted that the leader's "constantly changing" explanations had been less than credible.

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

New Allegations Come to Light

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

One, Peter Ettedgui, described that a teenage Farage "came up to me and say: ‘Hitler was right’ or ‘gas them’, sometimes adding a long hiss to mimic the sound of the Nazi gas chambers”.

Another minority ethnic pupil claimed that when he was about nine, he was subjected to similar treatment by a 17-year-old Farage.

“He approached a pupil flanked by two similarly tall mates and targeted anyone looking ‘other’,” the former student said. “That happened to me on three occasions; inquiring where I was from, and gesturing, saying: ‘That’s the way back,’ to wherever you replied you were from.”

After the story broke, additional individuals have come forward; around two dozen people have now alleged they were either victims of or witnesses to highly inappropriate past behaviour by Farage.

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

Denials and Shifting Positions

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

Observers have pointed out that Farage has not managed to condemn antisemitism and other forms of racism in a wider sense in his denials.

They also cite his failure to reprimand a party member, Sarah Pochin, after she made remarks about the number of ethnic minorities she saw in adverts. She later said sorry for the statements.

“Nigel Farage’s constantly changing story about his behaviour to his schoolmates [is] not credible, to say the least,” Hermer commented.

He continued: “Arguing that a group of people have all forgotten the same things about his nasty behaviour simply is not believable."

Question of Character

“If he aspires to be seen as a credible figure for high office, he must confront the fears of the Jewish community, and apologise to the numerous individuals he has obviously deeply hurt by his behaviour,” Hermer concluded.

“Bigotry in all its forms is anathema to the values of this country and we cannot allow it to ever become accepted in public life.”

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

“It says a lot how little he has to say, and the precisely drafted words that both you and I would identify as being drafted in a specific manner to communicate, but also not to say something,” she said.

Formal Denials and Subsequent Comments

In legal letters prior to the release of the investigation, Farage’s legal team stated that “the suggestion that Mr Farage ever took part in, supported, or led racist or antisemitic behaviour is completely refuted”.

Farage later seemingly shifted his position in an appearance, remarking: “Did I say things as a youth that you could view as being teenage humour, you could interpret in a today's standards today in some way? Perhaps.”

He commented that he had “not ever purposely sought to go and harm anybody”. Farage afterwards put out a fresh denial: “I can tell you definitely that I did not say the things that have been published aged 13, so long ago.”