Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK and a central figure in British politics for decades, found himself at the center of a storm this week as allegations of racist and antisemitic behavior from his schooldays resurfaced in the national press. The controversy, which has dominated headlines since The Guardian published claims from more than a dozen of Farage’s former classmates at Dulwich College, has prompted both a fierce defense from Farage and sharp criticism from political opponents across the spectrum.
The allegations, first detailed by The Guardian, recount a pattern of what former peers described as “deeply offensive” behavior during Farage’s teenage years in the 1970s and 80s. Some classmates alleged that Farage made racist and antisemitic remarks, with one former pupil, award-winning director Peter Ettedgui, specifically recalling Farage saying “Hitler was right” and “Gas them,” complete with a hiss to simulate the sound of gas chambers. Another claim suggested Farage, while serving as a prefect, put a fellow student in detention because of the color of their skin.
Pressed for a response during an ITV News interview at a Reform rally in Llandudno, North Wales, on November 24, 2025, Farage repeatedly denied the accusations. “No. This was 49 years ago, by the way. 49 years ago,” he insisted when asked if he had racially abused fellow pupils. “Have I ever tried to take it out on any individual on the basis of where they’re from? No.” Yet, when the journalist pressed for a categorical denial, Farage offered a more nuanced response: “I would never ever do it in a hurtful or insulting way.”
Farage’s answers, which often referenced the passage of time since his schooldays, did little to quell the controversy. “What difference does the time make?” the journalist shot back, to which Farage replied, “I’d just entered my teens, and claimed that he couldn’t remember everything from his school days.” He further stated, “Have I ever been part of an extremist organisation, or engaged in direct personal abuse, genuine abuse on that basis? No.”
When the interviewer pointed out that Farage’s denials seemed caveated, Farage clarified, “Not with intent.” Pressed on whether he might have said things that were interpreted as racist or hurtful, he admitted, “Have I said things 50 years ago that you could interpret as being banter in a playground, that you can interpret in the modern light of day in some sort of way? Yes.” However, he maintained, “I’ve never directly racially abused anybody. No.”
Farage’s explanations did not satisfy critics. Liberal Democrat President-Elect Josh Babarinde MP commented, “The Reform leader’s refusal to deny that he’s said these racist remarks is unbecoming from someone who wants to be our next prime minister. The British people deserve a straight answer. It looks like the mask has slipped and fact-of-the-matter-Farage is turning into no-answers-Nigel.” Labour peer and former Jewish Labour Movement Chair Mike Katz was even more forthright, saying, “Just when you thought Nigel Farage couldn’t sink any lower, he is trying to say abhorrent racist comments, including vile antisemitic insults, doesn’t matter. He seems to think that you can racially abuse people without it being hurtful and insulting. Let’s be crystal clear: you can’t.”
Farage, for his part, suggested that some of the allegations were politically motivated, referencing “political disagreements” with some of his school peers and asserting a “strong political element” to the timing of the claims. His spokesperson echoed this sentiment, questioning why the allegations had not surfaced during Farage’s many high-profile campaigns, including his time as UKIP leader, during the Brexit referendum, or his runs in previous general elections. “Nigel is very clear, there’s no primary evidence,” the spokesperson said, adding that Farage was “probably mischievous” at school but denied the specific allegations made in The Guardian.
Notably, Farage refused to apologize to those making the claims, stating, “No, I’m not, because I don’t think I did anything that directly hurt anybody.” When asked if he might sue over the allegations, his spokesperson left the door open, saying, “potentially, yes,” but clarified that no legal action was being taken “at this stage.”
The controversy comes at a sensitive time for Reform UK. Just days before the Llandudno rally, Laura Anne Jones, the party’s only Senedd member, was suspended from the Welsh Parliament for making a racial slur. Farage appeared alongside Jones at the rally, further fueling criticism about the party’s handling of allegations of racism within its ranks.
Adding to the party’s woes, former Welsh Reform UK leader Nathan Gill was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison on November 21, 2025, for accepting pro-Russian bribes during his tenure as an MEP. Farage, when questioned about Gill, called his actions “an absolute and total disgrace” and stated, “We disown his actions and we disown what he has done in every single way.” He ruled out an internal investigation into Russian links within Reform UK, saying, “I’m not a police force, I haven’t got the resources,” and suggested that a broader investigation by MI5 into Russian and Chinese interference in British politics would be more appropriate. He also asserted, “I’m as confident as I can be that no one else in Reform past or present had done similar things to the former Reform Wales leader,” labeling the Gill scandal “a very minor embarrassment for Reform.”
Farage’s handling of both the historic racism allegations and the Gill scandal has drawn criticism from across the political landscape. Labour’s Anna Turley remarked, “Nigel Farage assured the public his former right-hand man was decent and honest before he was found to have taken pro-Russian bribes. Now he says he’s as sure as he can be that there’s no pro-Kremlin links in Reform UK.” The repeated controversies have left Farage and his party facing tough questions about their internal culture and standards.
Despite the mounting criticism, Farage has remained defiant, leaning on the argument that societal standards have shifted over the decades and that remarks made in the past must be viewed in the context of their time. However, as his political opponents have pointed out, the issue for many is not simply what was said decades ago, but how Farage responds to the allegations today—and what that says about his suitability for high office.
As the dust settles on a week of damaging headlines, the episode has underscored the enduring power of the past in shaping the present—and the challenges facing public figures who must answer for their actions, and words, both then and now.
