Ex-Dulwich Teacher Alleges Farage's Racist and Neo-Fascist Conduct at School
Chloë Deakin, an English teacher at Dulwich College in 1981, has spoken out about Nigel Farage's behavior during his school years, recalling him being discussed as a bully with racist and neo-fascist views. According to Deakin, there were concerns about Farage's alleged involvement in far-right activities, including singing Hitler Youth songs at cadet camps.
Farage was on a draft list for prefects despite these worries. The headteacher, David Emms, and deputy Terry Walsh defended his nomination. However, Deakin independently wrote a letter to Emms in June 1981 opposing Farage's appointment as a prefect. The letter documented several colleagues' reports of Farage's racist and neo-fascist views, harassment of pupils, and an incident where a pupil was removed from a lesson due to Farage's conduct.
Deakin's letter emphasized that Farage should not become a leader, urging for enlightened and compassionate leadership instead. She noted that his views were extreme for someone expected to take such a role. After this episode, Deakin left Dulwich College and later worked as a civil servant in the Department for Education, having previously taught in a culturally diverse school in Brent.
The Guardian has spoken to more than 30 contemporaries who either reported racist or antisemitic abuse by Farage or witnessed such behavior at Dulwich. These testimonies contribute to a broader crisis affecting Farage's political career. Farage's lawyers have denied allegations of racist or antisemitic behavior. Farage himself acknowledged that some older remarks might be interpreted differently today but denied any direct targeting or intent to harm.
