Greta Thunberg, Tracey Emin, and Gary Lineker are among more than 245 signatories of an open letter defending Southbank Centre chair Misan Harriman, following what they describe as a “dishonest smear campaign” by media outlets. The controversy erupted after Harriman was accused of promoting “conspiracies” about the Golders Green attack and comparing Reform voters to Nazis.
Background of the Controversy
Harriman, who has chaired the Southbank Centre’s board of governors since 2021, faced criticism from the Telegraph for sharing a social media post that questioned the amount of coverage given to the Muslim victim of the Golders Green attack, Ishmail Hussein. Critics argued that the repost risked minimising the antisemitic nature of the attack. Labour MP David Taylor stated, “These posts are not only incredibly inappropriate for the chair of a charity board, but for anyone in the public eye.”
Further backlash came after Harriman quoted Susan Sontag in a video discussing Reform’s historic local election results. He said, “She said when thinking about the Holocaust, 10% of people in any population are cruel no matter what, and 10% is merciful no matter what and the other – this is important – the other remaining 80% could be moved in either direction. It’s such a profound way to look at us. In the context of yesterday’s election result it is something which I think is really topical.”
Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, criticised Harriman, asking, “How on earth could yesterday’s election results ever be comparable to the Holocaust?” Reform MP Robert Jenrick called the post “disgusting” and demanded Harriman’s removal from his position at the Southbank Centre.
The Open Letter
In response to the widespread coverage, the open letter expresses concern that public figures are being silenced for speaking out amid heightened tensions over antisemitism. The letter states, “The purpose of the smear campaign, which we repeat is entirely without foundation in fact, is to traduce and marginalise Misan. And it is intended to send a message to others that if they speak out, they will be subject to harassment and threats.”
Signatories include actors Riz Ahmed and David Oyelowo, as well as several Jewish cultural figures such as Pulitzer prize-winning Sontag biographer Benjamin Moser, actor Morgan Spector, and photographer Jillian Edelstein. The letter argues that “trying to silence responsible critics of Israel by smearing them as antisemitic does not protect Britain’s Jewish community.”
Harriman’s Response
Harriman told the Guardian, “We have reached the point where truth itself is being crushed by the very institutions that are supposed to uphold it. I will never whisper about the oppressed. I stand with truth, I stand by my right to use my voice to help others.”
The letter comes after 53,000 people backed a campaign to lobby the press regulator Ipso about the coverage, more than double the number who complained about Jeremy Clarkson’s 2022 column targeting the Duchess of Sussex.
Harriman’s Background
Harriman gained prominence as a photographer during the Black Lives Matter protests and has built a large online following. He is the subject of a forthcoming documentary by Bafta-winning director Andy Mundy-Castle. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex chose him to shoot their portrait, and he has worked with children who fled Gaza, providing them with equipment to capture their own images. He is also an ambassador for Save the Children.
Southbank Centre’s Statement
A spokesperson for the Southbank Centre said the institution is “an inclusive and welcoming place for everyone including our artists, audience and all colleagues. The Southbank Centre condemns all forms of antisemitism, hatred and discrimination. All Southbank Centre board members, including the chair, have the right to exercise their freedom of expression within the law. The personal views of individual members of our board do not represent the views of the Southbank Centre and in no way affect our programming nor the welcome that we extend to all.”
