Nigel Farage has said he never engaged in racist behaviour “with intent” while he attended a top private school.
The Reform UK leader directly responded to a newspaper report about his behaviour while at Dulwich College, south London, as a teenager.
The Guardian’s report was based on allegations from more than a dozen school contemporaries of Mr Farage, 61, who recount alleged incidents of deeply offensive behaviour throughout his teenage years.
A spokesman for the Reform leader previously denied the claims on his behalf.
In an interview with broadcasters on Monday, Mr Farage however appeared to not be so forthright.
Asked about the claims, the Reform leader replied: “This is 49 years ago, by the way. Forty-nine years ago. Have I ever tried to take it out on any individual on the basis of where they’re from? No.”
Asked to categorically rule out that he had engaged in racial abuse, Mr Farage said: “I would never, ever do it in a hurtful or insulting way.”
As he continued to face questions about the allegations, he replied: “I had just entered my teens. Can I remember everything that happened at school? No, I can’t.
“Have I ever been part of an extremist organisation or engaged in direct, unpleasant, personal abuse, genuine abuse on that basis? No.”
When asked again if he engaged in racial abuse at the school, Mr Farage replied: “Not with intent.”
Asked to elaborate, he replied: “No, I have never directly, really tried to go and hurt anybody.”
Mr Farage added: “Have I said things 50 years ago that you could interpret as being banter in a playground, that you can interpret in the modern light of day in some sort of way? Yes.”
Asked then if this meant he had abused people, Mr Farage replied: “I’ve never directly racially abused anybody. No.”
