Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, is under renewed scrutiny following the resurfacing of a letter from 1981 that raises serious allegations about his conduct during his time at Dulwich College. The document, penned by English teacher Chloë Deakin, highlights concerns regarding Farage’s alleged neo-fascist views and incidents including chanting Hitler Youth songs. This controversy, originally brought to light in 2013, has reignited debates about Farage’s past and its potential impact on his political career, especially amidst rising searches related to his school history.
On June 4, 1981, Deakin wrote to headmaster David Emms, expressing her apprehension about appointing the then-17-year-old Farage as a prefect. She noted that although one staff member described him as “a fascist,” this did not disqualify him from the position. However, the letter cited troubling incidents, including a situation where Farage had to be removed from class due to offensive behavior towards another student. Deakin reported that Farage, along with others, had marched through a village in Sussex at night, singing Hitler Youth songs during a Combined Cadet Force (CCF) camp.
Deakin emphasized that appointing Farage as a prefect would be seen as endorsing extremist views, potentially alienating both staff and students. Michael Crick, a journalist, first revealed the letter publicly on September 19, 2013, during a segment for Channel 4 News. The recent resurgence of these allegations has led to further investigations, including a notable article in The Guardian on November 22, 2025, where twenty former students from Dulwich College shared their accounts of Farage’s behavior while at school.
Among those speaking out was Peter Ettedgui, who recalled Farage making disturbing remarks such as “Hitler was right” and using slurs like “Paki” and “Wog”. Another former student, Jean-Pierre Lihou, remembered Farage singing a racist song with lines that were deeply offensive. Other accounts included allegations of Nazi salutes, chants of “Sieg Heil,” and derogatory references to ethnic minorities. One anonymous pupil claimed that Farage taught younger cadets a song with the refrain “gas ’em all.”
These allegations are consistent with a 2016 open letter from a school friend, who noted Farage’s interest in symbols associated with the National Front and his tendency to chant similar songs. Throughout the years, Farage has denied these allegations, although his responses have varied. In 2013, he acknowledged having said “some ridiculous things” to provoke teachers but denied any racist intent. By 2025, his representatives labeled the claims as “wholly untrue” and threatened legal action, arguing that there is no primary evidence to support the assertions against him.
As the controversy unfolds, Farage has reiterated his stance, stating on November 24, 2025, “No, not with intent.” A viral post on X by journalist Michael Crick has highlighted the discrepancies in Farage’s responses over the years, drawing attention to the timeline of his shifting explanations regarding the allegations.
The renewal of interest in Farage’s past comes at a time of heightened political tensions in the United Kingdom. Critics, including David Lammy, have referenced these allegations as part of broader discussions on integrity in politics. Supporters of Farage, on the other hand, argue that these incidents should be viewed as youthful indiscretions, unrelated to his current political policies.
As the debate continues, questions remain about the implications of Farage’s past for his future in politics and the broader discourse on accountability among public figures.
