Nigel Farage demands apology from BBC over antisemitism allegations
Nigel Farage has condemned the BBC as “utterly disgraceful” and called for an apology after the broadcaster raised allegations regarding antisemitic remarks he purportedly made as a schoolboy, reports BritPanorama.
The outburst came following a BBC Radio 4 interview earlier in which his deputy, Richard Tice, was questioned about accusations made by former classmate Peter Ettedgui. Ettedgui claims that a teenage Farage stated “Hitler was right” and “gas them.”
Tice dismissed these allegations as “made-up twaddle,” asserting that Ettedgui, now a Bafta-winning director, was lying.
During an afternoon press conference, Farage reiterated his disdain for the line of questioning posed by the BBC’s “Today” programme. He stated, “I thought this morning’s performance by one of your lower grade presenters on the Today programme was utterly disgraceful,” and criticized the framing of the question regarding his relationship with Hitler as “despicable.”
Farage further noted that other BBC programmes from the same era, such as The Black and White Minstrel Show, contained content that would not be deemed acceptable today. He expressed frustration over what he sees as double standards at the BBC, saying, “I cannot put up with the double standards of the BBC about what I’m alleged to have said 49 years ago…”
He then demanded an apology “for virtually everything you did throughout the 1970s and 80s,” insisting it was necessary before he would address the direct questions put to him.
Farage also read out a letter purportedly from a former Dulwich College pupil who identifies as Jewish, which contended that while some schoolboy banter could be considered offensive, it did not carry malice. The letter maintained, “I never heard him racially abuse anyone. If he had, he would have been reported and punished. He wasn’t.”
The letter characterized the allegations as “belatedly, politically dubious recollections from nearly half a century ago,” asserting that “Nigel stood out. He was neither aggressive nor a racist.”
This controversy highlights ongoing tensions surrounding historical allegations and the accountability of public figures in their formative years. As discussions about historical context and accountability continue, the implications for Farage and public discourse remain significant.
