School head responds to claims of Farage abuse

Dulwich college’s headteacher has responded to allegations of teenage racism by Nigel Farage by saying he recognised the “seriousness of the behaviours described in the media”.

- Daniel Boffey

Robert Milne, who joined the private school in London this summer, said the alleged behaviour was “at odds” with the modern-day school in a letter in which he said he understood why 28 ex-pupils had felt compelled to speak out.

He was responding to a letter from Jean-Pierre Lihou, a former friend of Farage at school. Lihou claims he witnessed abusive chanting and the targeting of Peter Ettedgui, now a film director, with antisemitic abuse.

Farage has denied “directly” abusing school contemporaries while adding that some of his “banter” may be interpreted differently today.

The deputy leader of Reform, Richard Tice, has described those who had made claims as liars, although he appeared to backtrack yesterday by telling LBC “recollections may vary”.

Milne said he was grateful to Lihou for contacting him over the claims "even - and perhaps especially - when what they describe is painful or difficult".