Southbank arts chief to stand down after 'antisemitic conspiracy theory'

The chairman of the Southbank Centre has announced he will be stepping down in the autumn after being embroiled in a row over antisemitism.Misan Harriman confirmed he would be leaving the post when his second term ends in a few months.The 48-year-old came under fire after it was alleged he shared antisemitic posts relating to the Golders Green attack, with both the Charity Commission and the Arts Council reviewing the claims.In a video released on social media, Mr Harriman confirmed he had always intended to leave the role. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say The Southbank Centre confirmed that succession planning was already underway, with further details to be announced next month.He said: I had decided way before this madness that I was going to do two terms.I came on just after Covid, two terms, then handing the baton to whoever the next chairman will be. We will find out in due course and of course I am going to support that.But the board has been amazing, the team has been amazing. Everyone’s been working hard and it’s a sacred eleven acres that I am still very proud to be chair of.On May 6, Mr Harriman shared a post by pro-Gaza MP Ayoub Khan, relating to the antisemitic Golders Green stabbing.Mr Harriman also shared a post questioning why there had been limited coverage in the media of a third victim, Ishmail Hussein. Mr Hussein, who is Muslim, was attacked at his flat in Southwark hours before two Jewish people were stabbed in Golders Green last month. The Southbank Centre boss reposted Mr Khan's message and added his own comment.He wrote: Wait, so there was a third victim on the same day who was Muslim?! And our press isn’t reporting it? Even the Met Police didn’t mention the Muslim victim in its X post?LATEST DEVELOPMENTSArts chief who 'compared Reform voters to Nazi supporters' urged to resign over 'divisive agenda'Southbank Centre: London structure once voted 'Britain's ugliest building' given protected Grade II listed statusLabour urged to launch probe into Southbank Centre chairman amid antisemitism claimsLater that same month, Mr Harriman was accused of comparing Reform’s election success to the Holocaust, after he quoted US writer Susan Sontag following the local elections. He 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 is merciful no matter what and the other, this is important, the other remaining 80 per cent could be moved in either direction.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, adding they “have many valid concerns”. Robert Jenrick, Reform's Treasury spokesman, branded the comparison disgusting.He 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.Fiona Sharpe from Labour Against Antisemitism demanded his removal from the Southbank Centre.She said: Whatever his political views are, to diminish the systematic state-sponsored murder of six million Jews, just for being Jews, in this particular climate in Britain, is abhorrent.A spokesman for the Southbank Centre confirmed Mr Harriman informed the board of his plans in early 2026.However, the spokesman did not clarify whether this was before a series of social media posts ignited a row over his suitability for the role.The spokesman told The Times: 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.” Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter