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The United Kingdom's top law officer, Richard Hermer, has demanded Nigel Farage to issue an apology to former schoolmates who claim he targeted with racist abuse them during their time at school.

Hermer said that Farage had "clearly deeply hurt" many people, according to their accounts of his past behaviour. He added that the leader's "shifting" denials had been less than credible.

“Throughout his defensive responses to legitimate questions, not once has Farage truly condemned antisemitism,” Hermer told a publication.

Further Testimonies Surface

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

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

Another pupil from an ethnic minority stated that when he was about nine, he was similarly targeted by a 17-year-old Farage.

“He approached a pupil flanked by two tall mates and addressed anyone looking ‘unusual’,” the former student said. “That happened to me on three occasions; inquiring where I was from, and gesturing, saying: ‘That's how you get back,’ to any place you replied you were from.”

Since then, additional individuals have come forward; about 20 people have now alleged they were either victims of or observed hurtful actions by Farage.

The behaviour they recounted cover the period when Farage was aged 13 to 18.

Denials and Shifting Positions

The political figure has denied that anything he did was "blatantly" racist or antisemitic, and has suggested the accusers were misremembering.

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

They also reference his reluctance to reprimand a colleague in his party, Sarah Pochin, after she complained about the number of black and brown people she saw in adverts. She later apologised for the statements.

“His evolving narrative about his behaviour to his Jewish classmates [is] unconvincing, to say the least,” Hermer stated.

He went on to say: “Suggesting that two dozen individuals have somehow forgotten the same things about his nasty behaviour simply lacks credibility."

Call for Leadership

“If he wishes to be seen as a credible figure for the top job, he must confront the concerns of the Jewish community, and say sorry to the numerous individuals he has clearly deeply hurt by his behaviour,” Hermer said.

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

In a separate interview, Rachel Reeves said Farage should “say something” if he wanted to appear as a true statesman.

“It speaks volumes how very little he has to say, and the very careful language that both you and I would understand as being written in a specific manner to say something, but also avoid saying certain things,” she remarked.

Legal Letters and Later Statements

In formal correspondence before the release of the investigation, Farage’s lawyers asserted that “the allegation that Mr Farage ever engaged in, supported, or led this behaviour is categorically denied”.

Farage later appeared to change his position in an appearance, remarking: “Did I say things decades ago that you could see as being playground talk, you could interpret in a modern light today in a certain manner? Perhaps.”

He said that he had “not once intentionally sought to go and harm anybody”. Farage subsequently put out a fresh denial: “I can tell you unequivocally that I did not say the things that have been published aged 13, so long ago.”