Summary
Overview
The News Agents discusses Reform UK's response to allegations of anti-Semitic behavior by Nigel Farage during his school days at Dulwich College in the 1970s. Deputy leader Richard Tice dismisses the accusations as 'twaddle,' while multiple former classmates have come forward with corroborating accounts. The episode examines Reform's defensive strategy, media coverage disparities, and the party's record-breaking £9 million donation, alongside questions about accountability and double standards in British politics.
Reform Dismisses Anti-Semitism Allegations as 'Twaddle'
Richard Tice appeared on BBC Radio defending Nigel Farage against allegations from up to 20 former schoolmates who accused him of racist and anti-Semitic behavior at Dulwich College in the 1970s. Rather than expressing regret or acknowledging the claims, Tice categorically dismissed them as fabricated political attacks, marking a significant escalation in Reform's response strategy. The hosts note this represents a shift from Farage's earlier admission of being 'an idiot as a schoolboy' to outright denial and counterattack against accusers.
- Richard Tice claims allegations of Farage saying 'Hitler was right' and making gas chamber references are 'made up twaddle by people who don't want Nigel to be prime minister'
- The Guardian published accounts from up to 20 former schoolmates accusing Farage of racist slurs, Nazi salutes, and pro-Hitler remarks at Dulwich College
- A 1981 teacher's letter warned that young Farage had 'publicly professed racist and neo-fascist views'
- These allegations were first reported by Michael Crick 12-13 years ago, contrary to Tice's claim they're new fabrications
- Labour called Tice's dismissal 'deplorable' as Reform continues to deny the accusations
" This is all made up twaddle by people who don't want Nigel to be prime minister of the country. Funny how they didn't remember this three years ago, six years ago, ten years ago. "
" If you are racially abused, which you won't have been, Richard Tice, I suspect, you don't tend to forget it. It gets etched in your memory. "
The Logical Inconsistency of Reform's Defense
The hosts dissect the fundamental contradiction in Reform's position: they claim the allegations are false while simultaneously arguing they're too old to matter. This creates an impossible logical framework where Farage remembers not saying these things, but 20 corroborating witnesses supposedly can't remember accurately. The discussion highlights how a simple apology acknowledging youthful mistakes would have been the easier path, but Reform has chosen aggressive denial instead.
- There's a template for handling this: admitting you were stupid as a teenager and apologizing to anyone you offended
- Reform can't simultaneously claim Farage remembers not saying these things while arguing 20 witnesses don't remember accurately
- The comparison is made to how Labour figures were 'excoriated' for dismissing anti-Semitism allegations during the Corbyn era
- Farage was nearly 18 years old when these incidents allegedly occurred, not a young child
" If Nigel Farage didn't say it, Nigel Farage does remember, but these 20 people who all corroborate each other's stories don't remember accurately. You can't have both. "
" If you are a minority and someone uses an offensive slur or says that there weren't enough gas ovens in Nazi Germany, then frankly, you're not going to forget that. "
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