Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, is under renewed scrutiny following the resurfacing of a 1981 letter that outlines allegations of fascist and racist behavior during his time at Dulwich College. The document, authored by teacher Chloë Deakin, raised serious concerns about appointing the then-17-year-old Farage as a prefect due to his expressed neo-fascist views and incidents involving chanting Hitler Youth songs. This controversy has reignited discussions about Farage’s past and its potential impact on his political career.
The letter, dated June 4, 1981, was addressed to headmaster David Emms at the prestigious Dulwich College, which currently charges £10,206 per term for students in years 9-13. Deakin, who did not have a personal relationship with Farage, based her concerns on discussions among staff members. One colleague described Farage as “a fascist,” suggesting that this should not preclude him from being a good prefect. Another staff member highlighted Farage’s “publicly professed racist and neo-fascist views,” referencing an incident where he was removed from a lesson for offensive behavior towards a fellow student.
In her letter, Deakin recounted an incident involving Farage and other students marching through a Sussex village late at night while chanting Hitler Youth songs during a Combined Cadet Force camp. The chaplain at the school noted that such views expressed by boys of that age are “deep-seated, and are meant.” Deakin warned that appointing Farage would be tantamount to endorsing extremism and could disillusion both staff and students.
The letter first came to public attention when journalist Michael Crick revealed it on Channel 4 News on September 19, 2013. Recent investigations, including an article by The Guardian published on November 22, 2025, prompted 20 former students from Dulwich to share their accounts of Farage’s behavior. Peter Ettedgui recalled instances where Farage allegedly growled phrases like “Hitler was right” and used derogatory slurs, while Jean-Pierre Lihou remembered him singing a racist song with alarming lyrics.
Other former students described Farage engaging in Nazi salutes and chanting “Sieg heil,” as well as using racial slurs and targeting ethnic minorities during CCF activities. One anonymous pupil claimed that Farage even taught younger cadets the “gas ’em all” song, echoing concerns raised in a 2016 open letter from a school friend who noted Farage’s interest in National Front symbols.
Farage has consistently denied these allegations, although his responses have varied over time. In 2013, he acknowledged making “some ridiculous things” to provoke teachers but denied having any racist intent or familiarity with Hitler Youth songs. By 2025, Farage’s spokesperson labeled the claims as “wholly untrue,” threatening legal action and describing them as smears against Reform UK. On November 24, 2025, Farage himself stated, “No, not with intent.”
A viral post by journalist Michael Crick highlighted the inconsistencies in Farage’s responses, showcasing a timeline of his shifting statements regarding the allegations from 2013 to 2025. The resurgence of these claims, particularly in the context of heightened political tensions in 2025, has spurred further discussions about character in politics. Critics, including David Lammy, have referenced the allegations, while some supporters defend them as mere youthful indiscretions, arguing that such incidents are irrelevant to Farage’s current policies and positions.
As the debate continues, the implications of Farage’s past behavior remain a focal point in discussions surrounding his political credibility and leadership within Reform UK.
