Secret viewing at the museum

George Osborne, chair of the British Museum, arranged a private Bayeux tapestry viewing for tech billionaire Peter Thiel before it opened to the public on August eighteenth.

Who is Peter Thiel?

Thiel founded PayPal and Palantir, a software company building data integration and AI platforms for government agencies and corporations. He supports Donald Trump.

Palantir's controversial contracts

Palantir holds a three hundred thirty million pound NHS contract since twenty twenty-three and works for US, Israeli and UK militaries. Its AI software supports military strikes and immigration raids.

Osborne expected secrecy

At the Big Brue festival in Somerset, Osborne said of the viewing: "It wasn't like we expected anyone to know about it." The Guardian revealed the visit shortly after it happened.

“It wasn't like we expected anyone to know about it.”

No money offered yet

Osborne said Thiel has not offered any donation. If he did, the board would weigh the income against reputational risks before deciding.

Gaza protests dominate

Osborne said the museum faces constant Gaza-related protests over donors' Israeli government ties. He argued the museum is not the Foreign Office and must take corporate money to stay free.

Museums need funding or close

Osborne defended taking fifty million pounds from BP, saying museums cannot operate without corporate money. Rejecting all controversial donors would force closure.