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The United Kingdom's top law officer, one of the most senior Jewish ministers, has demanded Nigel Farage to apologise to former schoolmates who claim he racially abused them during their school days.

Hermer stated that Farage had "undoubtedly deeply hurt" many people, based on their testimonies of his actions as a youth. He noted that the politician's "evolving" explanations had been less than credible.

“In his defensive responses to legitimate questions, not once has Farage genuinely condemned antisemitism,” Hermer informed a publication.

Further Testimonies Surface

A published report last month outlined the accounts of over a dozen former classmates of Farage from a private college.

One, a former pupil, said that a 13-year-old Farage "would approach me and utter: ‘The Nazi leader was correct’ or ‘send them to the gas chambers’, occasionally including a long hiss to simulate the sound of the gas showers”.

Another minority ethnic pupil alleged that when he was roughly nine years old, he was singled out by a older Farage.

“He came over to a pupil accompanied by two tall mates and targeted anyone looking ‘other’,” the individual said. “That involved me on three separate times; asking me where I was from, and gesturing, saying: ‘Go back that way,’ to wherever you replied you were from.”

Since then, others have stepped forward; approximately twenty people have now claimed they were either targets of or observed highly inappropriate actions by Farage.

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

Denials and Shifting Positions

The Reform leader has denied that anything he did was "directly" racist or antisemitic, and has asserted the individuals were misremembering.

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

They also cite his inability to discipline a fellow Reform MP, a MP, after she complained about the number of black and brown people she saw in adverts. She later expressed regret for the statements.

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

He added: “Suggesting 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 urgently needs acknowledge the concerns of the Jewish people, and say sorry to the numerous individuals he has obviously deeply hurt by his behaviour,” Hermer concluded.

“Racism in all its forms is anathema to the values of this country and we must not permit it to ever become accepted in society.”

In a separate interview, Rachel Reeves said Farage should “make a statement” if he wanted to be considered 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 written in a certain style to say something, but also not to say something,” she said.

Legal Letters and Later Statements

In formal correspondence before the publication of the investigation, Farage’s lawyers stated that “the implication that Mr Farage ever took part in, condoned, or led this behaviour is completely refuted”.

Farage later seemingly shifted his stance in an appearance, stating: “Have I said things 50 years ago that you could interpret as being playground talk, you could interpret in a today's standards today in some way? Perhaps.”

He added that he had “not once intentionally attempted to go and upset anybody”. Farage later released a new statement: “I can tell you categorically that I did not say the things that have been printed aged 13, decades in the past.”