On December 14, 2025, a familiar debate over the boundaries of acceptable schoolyard behavior and the lingering scars of racism took center stage in British politics, as London Mayor Sadiq Khan openly criticized Reform UK leader Nigel Farage for dismissing allegations of past racist abuse as mere "banter." The exchange has triggered a wider reckoning about how society interprets past actions in the light of present-day values, and whether apologies or denials suffice when old wounds are reopened.
The controversy erupted after several former pupils of Dulwich College, the prestigious South London school that counts Farage among its alumni, accused the Reform UK leader of deeply offensive racist behavior during his teenage years. According to LBC, these allegations include claims of anti-Semitism and derogatory remarks targeting classmates with South Asian names. Farage has strenuously denied all accusations, insisting, "I would never, ever do it in a hurtful or insulting way," and suggesting that what may have been considered "banter in a playground" decades ago could be interpreted differently "in the modern light of day."
Yet for Sadiq Khan, who has spoken candidly about the racism he endured as a child, such dismissals ring hollow. In an interview with Lewis Goodall on LBC, Khan recalled, "I still remember now, and I'm 55 years old, how I felt being racially abused as an 11-year-old, 12-year-old, 14-year-old. It doesn't leave you and it's difficult to articulate the impact it has on you, how it changes how you behave, how it changes how you present yourself."
Khan's comments were not simply personal reminiscence. He argued that attempts to minimize or reframe racist behavior as harmless fun are deeply offensive to those who have suffered its effects. "It didn't feel like banter when I was called the P word. It didn't feel like banter when people made me feel unwelcome in a country I was born and raised in. And that is so offensive," Khan told LBC. "So, when I hear the adults who talk about their experiences at the receiving end of alleged racism from Nigel Farage, I find it incredibly credible and believable from my own experience."
Asked whether the passage of time might mean that claimants could be "misremembering" events, Khan was unequivocal: "As you asked me a question, I'm starting to feel how I felt. You don't forget it, Lewis. And so, there are so many people I've seen on TV, I've heard on the radio, who were at the receiving end at Dulwich College, they're articulating feelings that I've got. They're behaving in a way that I relate to."
For Khan, the appropriate response to such allegations is clear: "Yes, it was a long time ago, the response should be either an apology, I've changed my views, but to trivialise it by calling it banter is just so offensive to those of us who've been victims of racism."
The allegations against Farage are specific and, in some cases, deeply troubling. Jean-Pierre Lihou, a former Dulwich pupil, has accused Farage of conducting a campaign of anti-Semitism against him during their time at the school, and of having "a big issue with anyone called Patel." Another classmate, Peter Ettedgui, now an Emmy- and Bafta-winning director, alleged that Farage "repeatedly" approached him and said "Hitler was right," as reported by LBC and the Evening Standard.
Farage, for his part, maintains that the accusations are politically motivated and not reflective of his character. He responded to the headmaster of Dulwich College, Robert Milne, who condemned any racist comments as "wholly incompatible with the values the College holds," by expressing surprise and stating, "I have not met or spoken to this master. So I am surprised by his uninformed comments in response to claims from nearly 50 years ago from politically motivated actors. If he is interested, I can show him the many messages that I have received from fellow pupils, including Jewish ones, that entirely contradict these allegations."
In a press conference last week, Farage sought to further counter the claims by reading aloud from a letter written by another former pupil. The letter stated, "While there was plenty of macho tongue-in-cheek schoolboy banter, it was humour, and yes, sometimes it was offensive … but never with malice. I never heard him racially abuse anyone." Farage also accused broadcasters reporting on the claims of "double standards," asserting that media coverage was unfairly targeting him and his party.
The leadership of Reform UK has rallied behind Farage. Deputy leader Richard Tice dismissed the allegations as lies, while a party spokesman described the controversy as "a witch hunt" aimed at discrediting both Farage and the party itself.
Meanwhile, Dulwich College has sought to distance itself from the alleged events of the past. In a letter to Jean-Pierre Lihou, Headmaster Robert Milne wrote, "What we can unequivocally state is that the behaviours described are entirely at odds with the Dulwich College of today." He emphasized that any racist comments are "wholly incompatible with the values the College holds," signaling an institutional commitment to inclusivity and respect.
The wider public reaction has been mixed, reflecting deep divisions over how to judge the past and what constitutes sufficient accountability. Some argue that youthful indiscretions, even those involving offensive language, should not define a person decades later—especially if there is evidence of changed attitudes. Others insist that the pain caused by such behavior is lasting and that attempts to dismiss it as "banter" only compound the harm.
This debate is not unique to the UK. Across the world, societies are grappling with how to confront historical wrongs, from schoolyard bullying to institutional discrimination. In Britain, the conversation has particular resonance given the country's evolving understanding of race, identity, and belonging—issues that have shaped everything from politics to pop culture in recent years.
For Khan, the matter is deeply personal but also emblematic of a broader struggle. "You don't forget it," he said. "There are so many people I've seen on TV, I've heard on the radio, who were at the receiving end at Dulwich College. They're articulating feelings that I've got, they're behaving in a way that I relate to."
As the story continues to unfold, it is clear that the questions it raises—about memory, responsibility, and the boundaries of acceptable behavior—are far from settled. For those who have experienced racism, the scars may never fully heal. For those accused, the challenge is to respond with empathy, honesty, and, if warranted, genuine contrition. For everyone else, the debate offers an opportunity to reflect on how far society has come—and how far it still has to go.
