Greta Thunberg, Tracey Emin, and Gary Lineker are among more than 245 signatories of an open letter supporting Southbank Centre chair Misan Harriman, denouncing what they describe as a “dishonest smear campaign” by media outlets. The letter follows allegations that Harriman promoted “conspiracies” about the Golders Green attack and compared Reform UK voters to Nazis.
Background to 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 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 controversy erupted when 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 the Southbank Centre, writing: “This crass moron should be nowhere near a taxpayer-funded organisation.”
The Open Letter and Its Signatories
The letter, signed by figures including Riz Ahmed and David Oyelowo, asserts that “trying to silence responsible critics of Israel by smearing them as antisemitic does not protect Britain’s Jewish community.” It claims the “purpose of the smear campaign… is to traduce and marginalise Misan” and “intended to send a message to others that if they speak out, they will be subject to harassment and threats.”
Several Jewish cultural figures, such as Pulitzer prize-winning Sontag biographer Benjamin Moser, actor Morgan Spector, and photographer Jillian Edelstein, also signed the letter. 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 Response and Background
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.”
Harriman rose to prominence as a photographer during the Black Lives Matter protests and has built a large online following. He was chosen by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for their portrait, has worked with children fleeing Gaza, and is an ambassador for Save the Children. A forthcoming documentary about his work is directed by Bafta-winning filmmaker Andy Mundy-Castle.
Southbank Centre’s Position
A Southbank Centre spokesperson stated the institution is “inclusive and welcoming for everyone” and “condemns all forms of antisemitism, hatred, and discrimination.” They emphasised that board members, including the chair, have the right to freedom of expression within the law, and that personal views do not represent the centre’s views or affect its programming.
