A former Dulwich College pupil has come forward publicly to allege that Nigel Farage subjected him to racist abuse as a child – saying he felt “compelled” to speak out after watching the Reform UK leader attempt to “deny or dismiss” the hurt experienced by his alleged targets.
Yinka Bankole, who says he was just nine years old when a 17-year-old Farage singled him out in the playground, told The Guardian his decision to go public followed Farage’s combative press conference on Thursday, in which the Reform leader denied ever acting with “malice” and accused broadcasters of hypocrisy for questioning him about historic racism and antisemitism allegations.
🔵 ‘It was the final straw’: Bankole explains why he is speaking now
Bankole, now 54, described watching Farage’s press conference with disbelief – particularly the moment Farage pivoted to criticising the BBC and ITV for airing 1970s comedy shows he argues were more explicitly racist than anything he is accused of saying.
Bankole said the performance struck him as “the most amazingly disingenuous example of ‘let he without sin cast the first stone’,” adding:
“It was also the final straw.”
He described his first year at Dulwich College in 1980–81 as a time when he felt vulnerable and out of place – the youngest age group inside a sprawling institution where older boys held enormous social power.
🔵 ‘That’s the way back to Africa’: the moment he remembers vividly
Bankole alleges the first incident occurred when Farage and another boy approached him in the lower-school playground.
“He towered over me,” he recalled. “He asked, ‘Where are you from?’ and before I could finish my confused answer, he said: ‘That’s the way back to Africa,’ pointing into the distance.”
He said the memory remains “vivid and unforgettable”, describing Farage’s expression as a “look of hatred… seemingly simply for existing”.
Once he had been targeted once, Bankole said, the pattern continued – claiming Farage waited for him at the lower-school gates to repeat the taunts.
🔵 ‘It certainly felt malicious to me’
In recent weeks, Farage has denied making racist or antisemitic remarks “directly” or “with intent”, suggesting that comments considered “banter” in the 1970s may be judged differently today.
Bankole rejects that framing entirely.
“I will leave it to the reader to decide whether this was malicious or not,” he said.
“I know how I experienced it. It certainly felt malicious to me.”
Bankole previously chose to remain anonymous when first speaking to the Guardian, but said Farage’s dismissive attitude pushed him to attach his name.
He added that he has no political affiliation and has voted for several different parties in his adult life.
🔵 One of 28 contemporaries alleging racist behaviour
Bankole is now one of 28 former pupils who claim to have witnessed or experienced racist or antisemitic remarks from Farage during their years at the prestigious school.
Farage’s lawyers have “categorically denied” that he ever engaged in racist or antisemitic conduct.
However, Farage appeared to shift position last week, saying that comments made “49 years ago” may have been forgotten, and insisting he never engaged in “direct… personal abuse”.
Bankole says that argument is insulting.
“Farage claims it’s inconceivable someone could remember things from over four decades ago. But can a victim of such abuse ever forget? I know I haven’t.”
He said he still recognises Farage’s walk instantly:
“It is the same walk that used to approach me.”
🔵 ‘A chilling thought’ as Farage seeks political power
Bankole said he left Dulwich after one year due to family relocation and high fees – a twist of fate he now views with relief.
“The thought terrifies me of what could have happened if I had stayed and the bully had more authority,” he said.
“The idea of him having infinitely more of that in a few years’ time is truly a chilling thought.”
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James Kelly
As soon as a I read that one of the accusers was an associate of the Blair’s, I smelled a rat. Labour has no workable policies and is determined to undermine opposition by any means. If cancelling local elections to save your skin is in any way acceptable, democracy is dead in this country. Other witnesses connected to the BBC must have their statements scrutinised.