Nigel Farage grilled by Martin Daubney as he claims racism allegations are 'politically motivated attack'

Pressed by Martin on his reaction to the claims, Mr Farage stated: "I did not say those things to that individual categorically, and as for other people coming out and saying things, well, we've been having a look today.

"One of them was the leader of Kent County Council until he was deposed this year, another is leader of the Lib Dems on Salisbury Council, so look, there's a very large political element to this."

In an official statement ahead of his interview with GB News, Mr Farage said: "I can tell you categorically that I did not say the things that have been published in the Guardian aged 13, nearly 50 years ago.

"Isn’t it interesting: I am probably the most scrutinised figure in British politics, having been in public life for 32 years. Several books and thousands of stories have been written about me, but it is only now that my party is leading in the polls that these allegations come out."

The Reform leader added: "And as you well know, even to question immigration numbers is in the book of some people, a racist statement.

"And I think it was the same back in the 1970s too, but I absolutely deny the charges that are made by this one individual."

Rebutting Peter Ettedgui's claims that he has been "fundamentally dishonest" in denying the accusations, Mr Farage told GB News: "Had what he said been true, do you think I'd have been promoted in my sixth year to be a prefect?

"Do you think I'd have become a senior member of the school if the school knew and thought any of that stuff was true? And I'd point out beyond him and his recollections are wrong, beyond him, all the others say is 'they disagree with me politically', which is perhaps not a huge surprise."

Declaring he has done "more in this country" than most in "defeating the far-right", Mr Farage stated: "In a long career in public life that lasts over 30 years, I've done more in this country to defeat the BNP, to defeat the far right, I didn't even take the money from Elon Musk earlier this year because he wanted me to associate with Tommy Robinson.

"I have been the force in British politics, fighting against racism and against extremism. And it's only when you get near the target, perhaps winning a general election, that all this stuff comes out."

Pressed by Martin again, he asked the Reform leader: "So you're clearly intimating tonight that those recollections are incorrect, and you're stating with certainty that this is a politically motivated attack because, for example, you say one of your opponents is the current chair of the Salisbury Liberal Democrats?"

He responded: "It's very, very political, but we have to understand there are people that appear on GB News who will say things that some out there in the wider world take serious offence to, and they'll use the racist word about it. It doesn't mean it's true.

"It's just the way people approach things these days. I categorically deny saying those things to that one individual, and frankly, for the Guardian and the BBC to be going back just shy of half a century to come out with this stuff, it shows how desperate they are."

Quizzed by Martin on the claims by the Guardian that he appears to be "changing his tune" in response to the allegations, Mr Farage interjected: "No, what I said was, 'have I ever said things that were offensive? Have I ever said things at school or since but offended people without any shadow of a doubt?'

"I probably have done today half a dozen times, but did I say this specific thing to that one individual? Well, the answer to that is a very clear no."

Martin then asked the Reform leader a third time: "So just to be absolutely, categorically clear, you're saying these stories are untrue, you're saying they're lies, and that Peter is a fantasist?"

Mr Farage made clear: "He is remembering something that frankly, never, ever happened. And as for everybody else, that is about a wider political debate and disagreement. When I was at school, there were very strong opinions on both sides of the argument.

"All sorts of things got said on every issue to each other, but am I guilty of targeting an individual and saying racist things to them, or repeating those slogans elsewhere? Certainly not."

Asking Mr Farage a fourth and final time, Martin grilled the Reform leader further: "So just be absolutely clear Nigel Farage, you're categorically saying these stories are fabricated, and you are saying this is a politically motivated attack to try and destroy your reputation now.

"Because you're leading in the opinion polls and potentially could be the next prime minister, this is all about politics?"

Mr Farage concluded: "Well, isn't the timing extraordinary, absolutely extraordinary? With Reform 10 points plus in the lead in the polls.

"A lot of what is being said here is about political disagreement, political disagreement in the 1970s and political disagreement now.

"And by the way, those same words are thrown at me now by Greens, Lib Dems, core ministers and many, many others. And on the specific allegation from one individual that I said these horrible things to him, I absolutely deny it completely."

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