Holocaust Survivors Demand Apology from UK Politician Nigel Farage as His Popularity Rises

A group of 11 Holocaust survivors has called on British politician Nigel Farage to issue a sincere apology, after a report claimed he made antisemitic remarks while at school — a demand laid out in a letter obtained by The Guardian.

The news outlet reported that some of Farage’s former schoolmates accused him of making racist and antisemitic comments, including saying “Hitler was right.” Farage denied the allegations to BBC News, saying: “I’ve never directly racially abused anybody. No.”

Several of those former classmates quickly rejected Farage’s denial, accusing him of deliberately targeting fellow students and now lying about it.

The survivors wrote in their letter:

“As Holocaust survivors, we understand the danger of hateful words – because we have seen where such words lead. Let us be clear: praising Hitler, mocking gas chambers, or hurling racist abuse is not banter. Not in a playground. Not anywhere.”

They went on:

“When allegations arise about invoking Nazi attitudes toward Jewish children, the responsible response is honesty, reflection, and commitment to truth. So we ask you: did you say ‘Hitler was right’ and ‘gas them,’ mimicking gas chambers? Did you subject your classmates to antisemitic abuse?

“If you deny saying those words, are you saying that 20 former classmates and teachers are lying? If you did say them, now is the time to acknowledge you were wrong, and apologize.

“Those who hope to lead our country should never divide people by race or religion. Antisemitic hatred must never be normalized. This moment is about moral responsibility. The choice is yours, Mr Farage.”

Among the signatories is Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, a Holocaust survivor who spent nearly a year in Auschwitz-Birkenau before being transferred to Bergen-Belsen, where she was liberated in April 1945. The letter also includes names such as Hedi Argent, Simon Winston, Janine Webber, Edith Jayne, Helen Aronson, Ruth Barnett, John Fieldsend, Susan Pollack, Hanneke Dye, and Agnes Kaposi.

In a recent survey by Ipsos, 45% of respondents said Farage is “in touch with ordinary people,” compared with 26% for Keir Starmer — a 19-point lead.

The same poll found Farage leading on traits such as “understands Britain’s problems,” “strong leader,” and “capable leader.”

Regarding whom Britons see as most likely to become Prime Minister, 39% said Farage, compared to 25% for Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch.

On voting intention polls: one recent survey found his party, Reform UK, at 34%, its highest recorded result, with Labour on 25%, and Conservatives far behind.

Still, Farage’s favourability remains mixed: according to a November 2025 poll from YouGov, roughly 30% of Britons view him favourably, while about 62% view him unfavourably.