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The UK's attorney general, one of the most senior Jewish ministers, has demanded Nigel Farage to issue an apology to school contemporaries who assert he targeted with racist abuse them during their years in education.

Hermer said that Farage had "undoubtedly deeply hurt" many people, judging by their testimonies of his alleged conduct. He noted that the leader's "constantly changing" denials had been difficult to believe.

“During his defensive responses to valid inquiries, not once has Farage truly condemned antisemitism,” Hermer informed a news outlet.

Further Testimonies Come to Light

A published report last month outlined the accounts of several one-time schoolmates of Farage from a private college.

One, Peter Ettedgui, said that a teenage Farage "would approach me and utter: ‘The Nazi leader was correct’ or ‘send them to the gas chambers’, occasionally including a long hiss to imitate the sound of the gas showers”.

Another pupil from an ethnic minority stated that when he was about nine, he was subjected to similar treatment by a older Farage.

“He came over to a pupil flanked by two equally tall mates and addressed anyone looking ‘different’,” the person said. “That happened to me on three occasions; inquiring where I was from, and pointing away, saying: ‘Go back that way,’ to wherever you answered you were from.”

After the story broke, additional individuals have emerged; approximately twenty people have now claimed they were either subject to or observed deeply offensive actions by Farage.

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

Evolving Explanations

The political figure has rejected that anything he did was "directly" racist or antisemitic, and has suggested the former classmates were misremembering.

Critics 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 point to his failure to sanction a fellow Reform MP, a MP, after she complained about the number of black and brown people she saw in television commercials. She later apologised for the remarks.

“Nigel Farage’s shifting account about his behaviour to his peers [is] not credible, to say the least,” Hermer said.

He continued: “Suggesting that two dozen individuals have all misremembered the same things about his hurtful behaviour simply lacks credibility."

Question of Character

“If he wants to be seen as a legitimate candidate for the top job, he has to address the concerns of the Jewish people, and apologise to the those he has clearly deeply hurt by his behaviour,” Hermer stated.

“Prejudice in all its forms is anathema to the principles of this country and we must not permit it to ever become legitimised in society.”

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

“It is very telling how little he has to say, and the very careful language that both you and I would recognise as being crafted in a certain style to say something, but also dodge the issue,” she noted.

Legal Letters and Later Statements

In formal correspondence prior to the publication of the report, Farage’s lawyers claimed that “the allegation that Mr Farage ever took part in, supported, or led such conduct is categorically denied”.

Farage later altered his stance in an discussion, remarking: “Have I said things 50 years ago that you could see as being teenage humour, you could interpret in a modern light today in a certain manner? Possibly.”

He said that he had “not once intentionally attempted to go and harm anybody”. Farage afterwards released a new statement: “I can tell you unequivocally that I did not say the things that have been published as a 13-year-old, nearly 50 years ago.”