Nigel Farage is facing calls to apologize for alleged racist remarks he made during his school days, according to David Lammy.
The Deputy Prime Minister expressed concern over the accusations against the leader of Reform UK, highlighting his own encounters with racism while in school.
A group of around 20 individuals have come forward claiming they either experienced or witnessed offensive behavior from Farage when he was between the ages of 13 and 18.
In an interview on Times Radio, Lammy emphasized the impact of teenage racial abuse, urging Farage to take responsibility and issue an apology given his current position as a political party leader.
Farage has denied the decades-old allegations, asserting that he would never engage in racially abusive conduct. Reform UK has vehemently refuted the claims, attributing them to a smear campaign against Farage.
Former classmates from Farage’s time at Dulwich College alleged that he made pro-Hitler remarks, joked about gas chambers, and discriminated against individuals based on their skin color.
Peter Ettedgui, an award-winning director, recalled instances where Farage endorsed Hitler and made gas chamber references during their youth. Another former student stated that Farage taught songs about gassing Jews during their time in a youth organization.
Calls for an apology extended to Farage from the UK’s Attorney General, Richard Hermer, who emphasized the need for accountability and addressing the hurt caused by the alleged comments.
The Attorney General stressed the importance of condemning antisemitism and urged Farage to address concerns within the Jewish community to uphold the values against racism in public life.
Recent criticisms from political figures like Keir Starmer and the Prime Minister have added pressure on Farage to acknowledge and apologize for the accusations of racism connected to his past conduct.