Thousands Decry Right-Wing “Smear Campaign” Against Misan Harriman

More than 97,000 complaints were filed with the UK’s Independent Press Standards Organisation after right-wing outlets published articles alleging that British-Nigerian photographer and arts trustee Misan Harriman posted antisemitic content on social media. An open letter supporting Harriman drew 245 original signatories, including Tracey Emin, Greta Thunberg, Mark Ruffalo, Peter Doig, and Aimee Lou Wood, amid calls for his removal from the board of London’s Southbank Centre. Harriman, who became Southbank Centre board chair in 2021, denied the accusations and told Hyperallergic the coverage amounted to a “smear campaign,” linking the backlash to his criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza. The controversy followed UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s remarks urging stronger action against antisemitism and stating that the Arts Council should use its powers to suspend, withdraw, or claw back funding used to “promote or platform antisemitism,” and it intensified after a Telegraph article published on May 6 scrutinized Harriman’s Instagram activity and prompted Labour MP David Taylor to suggest Southbank reconsider Harriman’s role and public funding.

Read the full article at Hyperallergic