The prime minister has challenged Nigel Farage to apologize to former classmates who say they experienced racist abuse Helensburgh Advertiser from him during their time together at Dulwich College, a London private school.

During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Keir Starmer described Farage’s recent explanations as lacking credibility Helensburgh Advertiser. The Reform UK leader has faced scrutiny after The Guardian published accounts from more than twelve former students describing allegedly offensive behavior during his teenage years.

Starmer questioned Farage’s defense that he never engaged with racism “with intent,” asking what such phrasing actually means Inverness Courier. The prime minister emphasized that victims of such behavior would understandably find it distressing, regardless of the perpetrator’s claimed intentions.

Peter Ettedgui, now an award-winning director, is among those who have come forward with allegations. Speaking to the BBC, Ettedgui indicated he believes Farage is being dishonest in his denials Inverness Courier. Reports describe disturbing incidents including hissing sounds meant to simulate gas chambers being directed at Jewish students.

Farage’s responses to the allegations have varied throughout the week. Initially, his representatives issued a categorical denial. Later, he suggested that what might have occurred could be viewed as schoolyard banter that appears different when examined decades later LBC. He subsequently issued an outright denial, claiming the incidents described never happened.

Lord Mann, the government’s independent adviser on antisemitism, criticized Farage’s characterization of the allegations as playground banter, calling such dismissal both insulting and implausible Helensburgh Advertiser. Multiple former classmates have corroborated accounts of targeted harassment.

The controversy has intensified as Farage questioned why these allegations are surfacing now, suggesting political timing given his party’s polling performance LBC. However, numerous witnesses have provided consistent accounts spanning different incidents.

Starmer later characterized Farage as “spineless” while traveling to the G20 summit ITV News, connecting the school allegations to separate concerns about Farage’s handling of controversial remarks made by one of his MPs.