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British Museum Chair Defends Secret Thiel Tapestry Viewing

By Drooid · Sep 28, 2026, 11:21 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

George Osborne, chair of the British Museum, said Peter Thiel’s private Bayeux tapestry viewing was intended to remain secret.
Osborne claimed the museum would shut down without sponsorship from firms such as BP.
The Science Museum ended its BP partnership weeks earlier, joining Tate and the National Portrait Gallery in cutting ties.
Ninety-one percent of Museums Association members ratified a code urging museums to drop sponsors linked to environmental harm.

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Story summary

George Osborne, chair of the British Museum, said Peter Thiel’s private Bayeux tapestry viewing was intended to remain secret.
Osborne claimed the museum would shut down without sponsorship from firms such as BP.
The Science Museum ended its BP partnership weeks earlier, joining Tate and the National Portrait Gallery in cutting ties.
Ninety-one percent of Museums Association members ratified a code urging museums to drop sponsors linked to environmental harm.