Overview

• George Osborne, chairman of the British Museum, clashed with No 10 over its attempt to influence the appointment of Nicholas Cullinan as the new director.
• Downing Street's intervention is part of a broader pattern of governmental attempts to control public institutions, critics claim.
• The trustees of the British Museum proceeded with Cullinan's appointment, maintaining the museum's customary practice of independence.
• This incident has sparked discussions about the politicization of cultural institutions and the integrity of their governance.
• The British Museum recently faced a scandal involving the theft of 1,800 artifacts, highlighting internal challenges amid external pressures.