Good Riddance! London Arts Boss To Quit Amid Antisemitism Controversies

The under-pressure head of a key London arts institution is scheduled to leave the organisation in September, it was announced on Wednesday, June 24th.

Misan Harriman will not seek another term as the head of the Southbank Centre, a prestigious venue rooted in the 1951 Festival of Britain. In a social media post he said:

It’s semi-public knowledge that my term is coming to an end anyway … I had decided way before this madness that I was going to do two terms.

Harriman has been in post since 2021, and it’s claimed the Southbank Centre has known about his pending departure since January this year. The “madness” he refers to may have accelerated his exit, thanks to two separate incidents:

• One or more of Harriman’s conspiracy-theorising social media messages questioned recent antisemitic violence in Golder’s Green, London (which commenced with the knife attacker injuring a Muslim acquaintance);
• He allegedly compared Reform UK voters to Nazi supporters—a claim the Oscar-nominated photographer denies. 

In response, Harriman was called a “crass moron” by Reform UK treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick.

Columnist Gareth Roberts sensed an opportunity:

Does this mean there’s a vacancy? Right! (spits on palms, rolls up sleeves) 

Convert the whole thing into a massive flat roof pub entertainment complex. Darts, bingo, turns. Smoking compulsory throughout.

However, for many Londoners—especially Jewish Londoners—news of Harriman’s departure will simply be welcomed.