Starmer urges Farage to apologise after racial abuse claims

Keir Starmer has called on Nigel Farage to apologise to his former classmates who claim the Reform UK leader racially abused them while at Dulwich College.

- Henry Dyer Daniel Boffey

Last week the Guardian reported the testimony of Peter Ettedgui, who said a 13-year-old Farage "would sidle up to me and growl: 'Hitler was right' or 'gas them', sometimes adding a long hiss to simulate the sound of the gas showers".

At prime minister's questions yesterday, Starmer said: "[Farage's] explanation in recent days in relation to the stories about what he may have said in the past is unconvincing to say the least.

"He says he never engaged with racism with intent. 'With intent'. What does that mean? ... I have no doubt that if a young Jewish student was hissed at to mimic the sound of a gas chamber, they would find it upsetting," Starmer said.

"He may want to forget that. They won't. He clearly remembers some of what happened. He should seek those people out and go and apologise to them."