The chairman of the Southbank Centre has been urged to resign after being accused of pushing a “divisive political agenda”.
Misan Harriman, an Oscar-nominated filmmaker who chairs the arts venue, has caused controversy for sharing posts to social media which have drawn fierce criticism from Jewish organisations and senior political figures.
Last month, he appeared to suggest there was a media "conspiracy" to make last month’s knife attack in Golders Green solely about the Jewish victims, questioning why there was no focus on a Muslim man who was allegedly stabbed by the same person in an incident earlier that day.
Mr Harriman, 48, then caused further controversy following the recent local elections, describing Reform UK's growing electoral success as "a warning", while seemingly comparing Reform voters to the Nazis.
In a video posted to Instagram, the Southbank chairman said that the “first thing that came to mind” after seeing that Reform UK had gained 1,451 councillors were Susan Sontag’s reflections on the Holocaust.
Mr Harriman said: “She said when thinking about the Holocaust, 10 per cent of people in any population are cruel no matter what, and 10 per cent are merciful no matter what. The other remaining 80 per cent 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.”
His comments have prompted a letter calling for him to resign, citing his outspoken social media presence which risks compromising the London cultural landmark.
The group behind the letter, which include Danny Cohen, the former BBC director of television, the author and historian Lord Roberts of Belgravia, David Kershaw, a former Southbank Centre trustee and Neil Blair, JK Rowling’s agent, said: “It is time for him to go.”
The signatories claimed that Harriman was using his public platform to make “daily interventions on social media pushing a divisive political agenda” rather than focusing on championing the Southbank Centre.
They claimed that this behaviour recently included the “consistent promotion of the Green Party, comparing Reform voters to Nazi supporters and content that appears antisemitic”, adding that his views were incompatible with his position and potentially breach Charity Commission rules.
They also said that Mr Harriman’s comments breached “the commitment made by the prime minister and civil society groups that pledged to stand with the Jewish community after the recent Golders Green and Heaton Park attacks.”
The Southbank Centre had previously distanced itself from Harriman’s views.
A spokesman from the Southbank Centre said: “The Southbank Centre 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.”
However, the letter’s signatories rejected this position, adding: “We question whether the same approach would be taken if their chair or others expressed anti-black or anti-Asian views, homophobia or misogyny.”
The group said: "All of this is hugely damaging to the reputation of the Southbank [which] is facing huge funding challenges to repair its crumbling concrete and outdated facilities."
"Harriman’s appointment was a misstep by an institution that requires serious leadership. It is time for him to go."
Robert Jenrick, Reform's Treasury spokesman, called Mr Harriman’s recent comments "disgusting."
Mr Jenrick told the Daily Mail: "Comparing the millions who voted Reform on Thursday to the Nazis is disgusting. This crass moron should be nowhere near a taxpayer-funded organisation."
Mr Harriman said: "The surge of Reform is real. It is a surge, and it should be a warning and a rallying call at the same time."
He added that Reform voters were "not devils" but had been influenced by "certain newspapers" and "certain charlatans."
