Nigel Farage has launched a furious attack on the BBC — demanding a full apology over what he called “disgusting” and “despicable” questioning about his alleged racist remarks at school.
Speaking at a press conference, the Reform UK leader accused the broadcaster of “double standards” and claimed its conduct was “beyond belief”.
Farage lashes out at BBC presenter
Farage took aim at BBC Radio 4’s Emma Barnett after she challenged Reform deputy Richard Tice earlier in the day regarding allegations that Farage made racist and antisemitic remarks as a teenager.
Farage raged:
“I thought this morning’s performance by one of your lower-grade presenters was utterly disgraceful.
To frame a question around the leader of Reform’s ‘relationship’ with Hitler was despicable — disgusting beyond belief.”
He continued by claiming the BBC was losing public trust:
“Are you surprised half a million people a year refuse to pay the licence fee?”
Farage accuses BBC of historic hypocrisy
Farage compared the allegations against him (which he denies) with the BBC’s own history.
He said:
“The time I was alleged to have made these remarks, one of your most popular weekly shows was the Black and White Minstrel Show.
I cannot put up with the double standards.”
He demanded:
“I want an apology from the BBC for virtually everything you did throughout the 1970s and 80s.”
Farage reads statement from former classmate
Farage claimed he had received letters from school contemporaries from his time at Dulwich College.
One unnamed classmate reportedly described his behaviour as “schoolboy banter”, occasionally offensive but “never with malice”.
Farage refuses BBC questions and cuts off reporter
When a BBC journalist attempted to return to the original question about racist remarks, Farage shut it down:
“Until you apologise for your appalling output at the time I’m accused of saying these things — I’m not speaking to you.”
He then moved immediately to another reporter.
Asked about suing Emma Barnett
Farage was asked whether he planned to sue Barnett for defamation.
He replied that legal action would require too much “emotional and legal capital”, and did not confirm any intention to pursue it.
