For a decade, the most famous man in British politics and television has been under relentless attack. Allegations of racism and antisemitism from his teenage years have emerged, which is alarming. 28 of these former classmates have come forward according to news reports. They’re giving their experiences of Farage’s as recently as his time at Dulwich College in the 1970s. The specific allegations, though, have caused Farage to up the attack on broadcasters, especially the BBC, for their reporting on these allegations.
Farage’s history as a television fixture long predates his racist diatribes and xenophobic policy advocacy. Perhaps most alarmingly, he has been associated with an obsession with Adolf Hitler, as well as a romanticization of the Third Reich. People who went to school with him have recounted truly disturbing stories. These cover a wide range, from comments he is alleged to have made as a teenager.
The most frightening experience, director Peter Ettedgui—an Emmy- and Bafta-winning helm—and producer–director Bim Ajadi remembered from their school days. He said that Farage would repeatedly bark, “Hitler was right, gas them.” This childish stunt speaks to Farage’s ugly understanding of race and history. Richard Flowers, another former classmate, corroborates Ettedgui’s story. As Johnson documents, he verifies Farage’s obnoxious style and jingoism throughout their development years.
According to reports, Farage made a pretty anti-immigrant comment when the name “Patel” was called in class. It was a remarkable rejoinder, on top of his earlier comments. He allegedly responded, “look, look, look, the most common name in this school has always been Smith. It’s Patel,” while stabbing his finger at the name. This comment has recently been cited as reflection of his (surely racist) attitudes towards race during his teenage years.
One of his classmates in Farage’s year, Mark Bridges, termed him a “racist bully.” Not all of their former classmates felt this way. One person claimed although Farage was “offensive,” they didn’t remember him being outright racist. As one of his childhood pals noted, they never heard him yell a racial slur at people. This seems to imply that even if his behavior was inappropriate, it wasn’t racist enough to be considered racist.
In response to the allegations, Farage has claimed that he has never participated in, supported, or endorsed any racist or antisemitic behavior. His lawyer issued a statement asserting, “The suggestion that Mr Farage ever engaged in, condoned, or led racist or antisemitic behaviour is categorically denied.” Farage went on to concede that he could’ve used humor as a teen. He admits, however, that the comments could be interpreted in a completely opposite way today. He stressed that, wherever they were made, these comments were not meant to be hurtful.
These days, many more people are remembering all of Farage’s racist actions. In the aftermath, he’s been defensive, moving the goalposts and blaming the media. He took umbrage when radio and television stations held his feet to the flames on these past accusations. He targeted the BBC in particular as an example. As he added, the programs they passed in the 1970s and 1980s would be seen as racist by today’s standards.
“I want an apology from the BBC for virtually everything you did throughout the 1970s and 80s,” he stated in a recent interview. He further implied that he would be boycotting the BBC, and indeed criticized ITV for its own mishandling on the same issue.
Things got much worse after opposition leader Keir Starmer called Farage a “toxic, divisive disgrace.” This comment followed inflammatory remarks made by Farage on Glasgow, likening the city to having undergone a “cultural bombing.” The political fallout from these remarks has ignited further discussions on race and culture in the UK.