Farage called on to apologise by 26 private school contemporaries

Nigel Farage has been told to apologise for his alleged teenage racism by 26 school contemporaries who have written an open letter telling of their "dismay and anger" at his response to the matter in recent weeks.

- Daniel Boffey Henry Dyer Mark Blacklock

In a united challenge to the Reform UK leader, the alleged victims and witnesses condemn him for what they describe as his refusal to acknowledge his behaviour when he was a pupil at Dulwich college.

They also criticise him for saying their allegations about his past behaviour are politically motivated.

They call for Farage, who has denied "directly" targeting anyone with racist or antisemitic abuse or having "intent" to hurt anyone, to publicly recognise the historical events described.

They write: "While we agree that no one should be judged in later life on the basis of what they have said or done in their youth, those seeking high office need to own their past and demonstrate honesty.

"Your denials have caused dismay and anger, and compelled us to come forward.

"None of us has taken lightly the decision to speak up. It has been deeply troubling to revisit our memories, let alone to share them with journalists and the broader public.

"However, what disturbs us is less what happened years ago, hurtful as it was, but rather your refusal to acknowledge your past behaviour or apologise for it."

In the letter, they call on Farage "to make it clear you have renounced the racist, antisemitic and fascist views" they claim he expressed while attending the private school in southeast London.

In response, a Reform spokesperson said: "These latest attacks are a naked attempt to discredit Reform and Nigel Farage.