Nigel Farage’s school years have come under renewed scrutiny amid allegations of racist and extremist behavior, sparking a contentious debate over his past. The claims, which date back nearly 50 years to his time at Dulwich College, have been met with denials and conflicting testimonies from former schoolmates and colleagues.

Several individuals who attended Dulwich with Farage allege that he engaged in racially charged behavior, including singing offensive songs and expressing support for extremist groups such as the National Front. One former peer, Jean-Pierre Lihou, recalled Farage displaying the initials “NF” in his notebooks and singing a song that began with the words “Gas ’em all, gas ’em all.” Another Jewish contemporary said Farage would approach him and say “Hitler was right.” Additional reports describe Farage performing a Nazi salute in classrooms, contributing to a broader narrative suggesting a “racist past.”

These allegations have drawn criticism from political figures. Labour’s attorney general, Lord Hermer, cited witness accounts as evidence of Farage’s extremist views during his youth. Newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy also accused Farage of “flirting with the Hitler Youth” in a BBC interview.

Farage has consistently rejected the accusations, attributing their timing to political motives aimed at undermining his party, Reform UK, which has led numerous opinion polls over the past year. He has acknowledged engaging in “aggressive banter” but denied any racist intent. Farage also quoted a Jewish former schoolmate who characterized the school environment as one of “macho tongue-in-cheek schoolboy banter,” which, while sometimes offensive, was not malicious or abusive. He emphasized that if he had behaved in a racially abusive manner, it would have been reported and punished at the time.

Former Dulwich staff member Emms, who served as Farage’s head of year, defended him, describing his conduct as “naughtiness, not racism.” Emms noted that some teachers sought to expel Farage for his “cheekiness and rudeness,” but he saw potential in him and appointed him a prefect. His deputy, Terry Walsh, suggested Farage’s provocative comments were intended as a joke to rile others rather than expressions of genuine belief.

Other contemporaries have offered nuanced perspectives, suggesting Farage’s behavior was driven by a desire to provoke debate and challenge authority rather than racial animosity. Nick Owen, another former schoolmate, said Farage “wasn’t scared of raising issues and crossing the boundary about race and religion” but lacked awareness of where to draw the line. Farage’s tendency to tease others, whether staff or fellow students, has been described by some as part of his characteristic humor rather than malice.

Despite extensive efforts by journalists who spoke to more than 30 former pupils, no definitive evidence such as photographs or writings has emerged to conclusively prove the allegations. The absence of such proof has left the truth about Farage’s schooldays unresolved, with some observers questioning who is accurately recalling events.

The controversy has persisted into 2025, with accusations continuing despite little impact on Reform UK’s electoral standing. The party maintains a lead in polling and boasts a membership nearing 270,000, surpassing that of Labour, whose ranks have fallen below 250,000. Prime Minister and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s hopes that the allegations would damage Farage’s political fortunes have yet to materialize.

Farage remains defiant, describing the claims as a “confected smear” and reaffirming that he was a rebellious and provocative teenager but never aligned with any extremist groups. He told Channel 4 News that stories about singing Hitler Youth songs were “silly” and that his remarks, while sometimes “ridiculous,” did not cross into racism by his definition.

As the dispute over Farage’s youth continues, questions linger regarding the accuracy of long-held memories and the motivations behind the resurfacing of these allegations amid Reform UK’s political ascent.