**Farage Denies School-Era Racism and Antisemitism Claims, Addresses Reform UK’s Russia Link**

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has robustly denied accusations of making racist and antisemitic comments during his time as a student at Dulwich College nearly five decades ago. Simultaneously, he downplayed concerns regarding his party’s ties to Russia following the imprisonment of former Welsh Reform UK leader Nathan Gill.

The allegations claim Farage made offensive remarks 49 years ago while a student. Addressing these claims, Farage stated he did not make such comments “with intent” and suggested a political motivation behind their timing. He acknowledged the possibility of having spoken “incorrectly” during his youth but firmly denied ever directly racially abusing anyone.

During questioning, Farage was also pressed on Reform UK’s connection to Russia. This line of inquiry follows the recent incarceration of Nathan Gill, who served as the party’s former leader in Wales. Gill was imprisoned for accepting money to make pro-Russian statements.

Farage dismissed the incident involving Gill as a “minor embarrassment” for Reform UK. He asserted that the party lacks the investigative capacity to vet individuals to the extent that such issues could be preempted, thereby downplaying any broader implication for the party’s integrity or foreign policy stance.