Farage’s wholesale denial of detailed racism claims is ‘troubling’, says former extremism adviser

Lord Walney expresses concern over Reform leader’s response as Labour calls on Farage to address ‘disturbing’ allegations

Nigel Farage’s wholesale denial of claims from witnesses of alleged racist behaviour during his teenage years has been described as “troubling” by the last government’s adviser on political extremism.

Lord Walney, who was an adviser to the Conservative government as a cross-bench peer, said testimonies reported by the Guardian appeared credible and that the Reform leader’s response would be concerning to many.