I remember him as a racist, obnoxious bully, and his allegation that other ex-Dulwich boys and I are liars tells me he hasn’t changed
The new year has delivered a new position from Nigel Farage on the multiple and detailed accounts of his alleged racism and antisemitism during his time as a pupil at Dulwich College.
We had outright denial when the Guardian first published its investigation. As further witnesses came forward, we had excuses: it was “banter”, there wasn’t any malice involved and any such abuse was never targeted at an individual.
Now Reform’s leader says that much, although seemingly not all, of what is being claimed from the now 34 alleged witnesses and victims about his behaviour is “fantasy”. The motivation of this large group of fantasists is said to be political. The politician’s response does not sit well with me.
I know that Farage targeted his contemporaries at the school with abuse because of their ethnicity and nationality because I was there – and I was one of them. I knew him throughout my time at Dulwich: sometimes we would be on the same train, when he would smoke the thinnest rollups you’ve ever seen in the compartments.
