Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, is under renewed scrutiny following the resurfacing of a 1981 letter that details allegations of fascist and racist behavior during his time at Dulwich College. The letter, written by teacher Chloë Deakin, raises serious concerns about appointing Farage as a prefect due to his alleged neo-fascist views and past incidents, including chanting Hitler Youth songs. This controversy is reigniting discussions about Farage’s past and its implications for his political career, particularly as public interest in his alleged racist behavior grows.
Details from the 1981 Letter
The letter dated June 4, 1981, was addressed to headmaster David Emms at Dulwich College, a prestigious independent school in London with current fees reaching £10,206 per term for students in years 9-13. Deakin, who had not personally interacted with Farage, noted her concerns were based on discussions among staff. One colleague described Farage as “a fascist,” although he argued this should not exclude him from the prefect position. Another teacher highlighted Farage’s “publicly professed racist and neo-fascist views,” recalling an incident that led to Farage being removed from class for offensive behavior.
Deakin mentioned an incident where Farage and fellow students marched through a Sussex village late at night, chanting Hitler Youth songs during a Combined Cadet Force (CCF) camp. According to Deakin, appointing Farage would endorse extremism and disillusion both staff and students.
Revelations and Responses
The letter was first revealed publicly by journalist Michael Crick during a segment for Channel 4 News on September 19, 2013. New investigations, including an article by The Guardian on November 22, 2025, brought to light accounts from 20 former students who shared their experiences of Farage’s behavior.
Peter Ettedgui recounted instances where Farage reportedly growled phrases such as “Hitler was right” and used derogatory slurs. Jean-Pierre Lihou remembered Farage singing a racist song that included inflammatory language against ethnic minorities. Other former students reported witnessing Nazi salutes and chanting “Sieg heil,” as well as other racially charged language targeting various groups. One anonymous student claimed Farage taught younger cadets a song with similarly offensive content.
These revelations are consistent with a 2016 open letter from a school peer who recalled Farage showing interest in National Front symbols and chanting related songs.
Despite the resurfacing of these allegations, Farage has consistently denied any wrongdoing. His responses have varied over the years. In 2013, he acknowledged having said “some ridiculous things” to provoke teachers but denied any racist intent or awareness of Hitler Youth songs. By 2025, his spokespeople described the claims as “wholly untrue,” threatening legal action while asserting that there was no primary evidence supporting the accusations.
On November 24, 2025, Farage stated, “No, not with intent,” in response to the allegations. A social media post from journalist Michael Crick highlighted the evolving nature of Farage’s responses, referencing a timeline compiled by The Guardian that outlines the changes in his statements from 2013 to 2025.
As the political climate intensifies in 2025, these allegations have fueled discussions about personal character in politics. Critics, including Labour MP David Lammy, have cited Farage’s past, while supporters argue that these incidents are irrelevant to his current political agenda. The broader implications of Farage’s past behavior continue to resonate in public discourse, prompting questions about accountability and the impact of one’s history on their political life.
