Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has publicly criticized Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, for his failure to address allegations of racism within his party. This comes after revelations from the Guardian detailing past incidents involving xenophobic and antisemitic remarks made by Farage during his time at Dulwich College, an elite school in south London. Starmer stated that Farage has “questions to answer” regarding these allegations, which include disturbing accounts of bullying and offensive chants related to the Holocaust.
During a press conference prior to the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, Starmer emphasized that Farage’s inaction on these issues demonstrates a lack of leadership. He remarked, “He needs to explain the comments, or alleged comments that were made, and he needs to do that as soon as possible.” Starmer pointed out that Farage’s track record on race issues is concerning, particularly in light of recent comments made by Reform MP Sarah Pochin, who faced backlash for expressing discontent over the diversity represented in advertising. Starmer noted, “If that had been someone in my party, I’d have dealt with it straight away.”
The accusations against Farage include claims from former classmates that he made inflammatory comments such as “Hitler was right” and engaged in singing a song with the phrase “gas ’em all” in reference to the Holocaust. One former pupil, film director Peter Ettedgui, recalled, “He 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.” These allegations raise serious concerns about the environment at Dulwich College during Farage’s attendance.
In response to Starmer’s remarks, Farage defended his record and dismissed the allegations as misremembered incidents from over four decades ago. He stated, “For the weakest prime minister in living memory to call me spineless is utterly ludicrous.” This defense follows a growing demand for accountability not only from Farage but also regarding Pochin’s recent controversial statements. Last week, Pochin criticized the representation of ethnic minorities in advertising, claiming it did not reflect the demographic reality of the UK.
While Pochin later apologized for her remarks, stating they were “phrased poorly” and not intended to offend, Farage has yet to take any disciplinary action against her. He labeled her comments as “ugly” but stopped short of categorizing them as racist. Pochin’s comments have sparked further discussions about representation and inclusivity in British media and advertising.
Starmer’s condemnation signals a heightened scrutiny on Farage and his party, particularly as they navigate these serious allegations. The Prime Minister’s insistence on accountability highlights a broader conversation regarding racism in politics and the responsibilities of party leaders to address such issues effectively. As the political landscape evolves, the response from Farage and his party will be closely monitored by both the public and political analysts.
