UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Reform UK leader Nigel Farage faces calls to explain antisemitism-linked conspiracy theories he promoted in US media amid renewed allegations.
As reported by The Guardian, Nigel Farage faces pressure to explain his repeated use of antisemitism-linked tropes in past interviews, after new claims that the Reform UK leader used racist language as a teenager.
What did Nigel Farage say in US interviews that sparked antisemitism concerns?
During his early political career, Nigel Farage used US media platforms to talk about alleged plans by powerful bankers to build a global government, naming Goldman Sachs, the Bilderberg group, and financier George Soros as risks to democratic systems.
Mr Farage appeared six times on the web TV show of far-right US conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. Jones was later successfully sued by Sandy Hook parents over his false claims that the 2012 massacre was staged.
The Reform UK leader claimed in a 2018 interview with Jones that “globalists” were seeking to trigger a conflict with Russia
“as an argument for us all to surrender our national sovereignty and give it up to a higher global level.”
Mr Farage made six appearances on far-right, antisemitic pastor Rick Wiles’s web radio show, addressing claims that central bankers might soon select leaders in the UK and US, which he did not dispute.
After The Guardian reported these interviews in 2019, groups including the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Community Security Trust urged the Reform UK leader to reject the claims, which were widely linked to far-right and antisemitic conspiracy theories.
However, Farage never commented. The only response came from a spokesperson for the Brexit Party, which Farage led at the time, calling the criticisms “manufactured” and “pathetic”.
Following testimony from 20 individuals who alleged they witnessed or experienced racist or abusive behavior by Mr Farage at Dulwich College in the late 1970s and early 1980s, MPs and others have pressed him to clarify his statements from 2009 to 2018.
Former classmates of Mr Farage alleged he used racist language, made statements including “Hitler was right” and “Gas them,” and sang racially offensive songs.
A spokesperson for Mr Farage and Reform UK rejected the claims as entirely false, arguing that the passage of time made accurate recollections impossible and questioning the timing of the allegations.
How did MPs and party leaders urge Nigel Farage to address antisemitism-linked remarks?
Christine Jardine, the Liberal Democrat MP and vice chair of the all-party parliamentary group against antisemitism, stated,
“Nigel Farage clearly has aspirations for high office. It is, therefore, simply not good enough that he fails to explain his past choice of words, and allegations that have surfaced this week only serve to underline concerns about his outlook.”
She added,
“He owes it to the public to use his platform to make clear not only his opposition to antisemitism but that he accepts his choice of words in previous interviews was unwise.”
Another Lib Dem MP, Josh Babarinde, described Mr Farage’s comments as “profoundly disturbing, but not surprising.”
He continued,
“They paint a picture of a man who has continued to peddle conspiracy theories and tropes, and who has gone on to build a political career by spreading division and hate. Nigel Farage needs to explain why he said these things and whether he still subscribes to these conspiracy theories.”
Anna Turley, the chair of the Labour Party, said,
“The rap sheet of disturbing remarks from Nigel Farage grows by the day, and it exposes the type of unpatriotic, dark and divisive politics Reform would unleash on this country.”
Zack Polanski, the leader of the Green Party in England and Wales, stated,
“We can judge Farage not just by the words he, allegedly, shouted as a child, but by the words and actions he has chosen to broadcast as an adult.”
He added,
“Throughout his career he has chosen to echo conspiracy theories through the language of the far right and antisemites. This is deplorable. But will he ever take any responsibility for anything he says or does? I seriously doubt it.”
What did Keir Starmer say about Nigel Farage’s alleged teenage racist behaviour?
The Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called on Nigel Farage to address multiple allegations of racist behaviour from his teenage years, after Mr Farage dismissed them as “one person’s word against another.”
The Prime Minister told the Commons,
“Mr Speaker, he [Anderson] raises dog whistles, but last week his leader refused to denounce the racist comments of his Runcorn colleague,”
referencing Sarah Pochin’s complaint regarding TV adverts featuring “Black people” and “Asian people.”
Mr Starmer said,
“He also said he didn’t have time to condemn his party calling children in care evil. He didn’t have time. I wonder if we could ask his leader next door to him whether he’s got time for his explanation for the stories in today’s papers.”
The prime minister’s spokesperson continued,
“These are disturbing allegations and it’s vital that Nigel Farage urgently explains himself. You’ve heard the prime minister speak just this week about Farage’s weakness in the face of divisive politics in Reform’s ranks.”
They added,
“He’s still not condemned the language or taken action against one of his MP’s racist comments, refused to condemn them when asked last week. Reform is dragging our politics into a dark place. This Labour government stands for our patriotic British values of decency, tolerance and importantly, unity. So, it’s for Nigel Farage to explain.”
In another interview, the Labour leader warned that decades-old racism is returning in Britain, saying it “makes people feel very scared” and that divisive hard-right politics is “tearing our country apart.”
The Prime Minister accused Nigel Farage’s Reform UK of overseeing the return of racist and divisive politics “that, frankly, I thought had been dealt with decades ago.”
What incidents in 2025 highlighted rising far-right and racist tensions in Britain?
The racism-related controversies included far-right protests like Tommy Robinson’s “Unite the Kingdom” demonstration, which involved attacks on police and attempts to incite fear using the English flag.
The Prime Minister condemned racism and intimidation based on background or skin color, and a political strategist resigned over racist jokes targeting MP Diane Abbott.
Britain has seen violent far-right and Islamophobic incidents targeting migrants, Muslims, and ethnic minorities, including attacks on mosques and housing for asylum seekers.