Nigel Farage's Past Under Scrutiny: Former Jewish Classmate Calls Racism Denials 'Fundamentally Dishonest'
Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, is facing renewed scrutiny over allegations of racist behaviour during his teenage years at Dulwich College. Peter Ettedgui, a former Jewish classmate, has publicly stated that Farage's recent denials are "fundamentally dishonest," directly contradicting the politician's assertions that he never racially abused anyone.
Vivid Memories of Antisemitic Abuse Emerge
Ettedgui recounted disturbing incidents from the late 1970s, during their time in Class 3R, where Farage allegedly subjected him to repeated antisemitic abuse. "One of the most vivid memories of my school life is Farage repeatedly coming up to me and, knowing that I was Jewish, saying Hitler was right and 'gas 'em'," Ettedgui told the BBC. He described Farage often following these remarks with a "sssss" sound, mimicking escaping gas. This verbal assault, Ettedgui claims, was consistent and deeply personal, targeting him directly.
The impact of these words was profound for Ettedgui, whose grandparents had narrowly escaped Nazi Germany, with many relatives perishing in the Holocaust. He emphasized that this was "much worse" than typical schoolyard banter, underscoring the severity and personal nature of the alleged abuse. Ettedgui firmly dismisses Farage's characterization of them as mere "children" at the time, arguing that as teenagers, they were well aware of historical and political contexts.
Farage Offers Strong Denials, Citing Political Motivation
Nigel Farage, 61, has vehemently denied the allegations, which first gained traction in The Guardian and were subsequently covered by the BBC. He stated, "I can categorically say that the stories being told about me from 50 years ago are not true." While admitting he might have "misspoken" in his younger days, he insists he never "directly racially abused anybody."
Farage attributes the timing of these resurfaced claims to a "strong political element," suggesting a coordinated effort to discredit him now that Reform UK is performing well in polls. He highlighted his long public career, questioning why such allegations are only emerging now after decades of scrutiny. Farage also asserted his track record against extremism, claiming to have done more to combat far-right politics in the UK than anyone else, specifically citing his fight against the BNP. He views these allegations as an attack by the "desperate establishment."
Corroboration and Divergent Recollections Among Former Pupils
Ettedgui's account is supported by at least two other former Dulwich College pupils who spoke to the BBC. Jean-Pierre Lihou distinctly remembers Farage singing "Gas Them All" and making antisemitic comments directly at Ettedgui, stating his memory feels "like yesterday." Martin Rosell, now chair of the Liberal Democrats in Salisbury, also recalled Farage muttering "Jew" under his breath when Ettedgui answered questions. Both deny any political motivation for speaking out, emphasizing the personal nature of their recollections.
However, not all former classmates share these memories. Patrick Neylan, who was a year below Farage, acknowledged some regrettable songs sung at the time but claimed he "never saw Farage being openly racist, antisemitic towards any individual."
The resurfacing of these allegations, first raised by journalist Michael Crick 13 years ago, has ignited a fierce debate about Farage's past conduct and his current leadership. Ettedgui, deeply affected by Farage's denials, stressed his "deeply personal motivation" to speak out, finding the prospect of Farage as prime minister "repellent and horrifying." He questions whether Farage believes all the approximately 20 individuals making or witnessing these claims are part of a coordinated lie.
