Misan Harriman to Step Down as Chair of Southbank Centre

AI Summary

Misan Harriman will step down as chair of the Southbank Centre in autumn 2026, following a month of intense pressure due to accusations of sharing a conspiracy about the Golders Green attack.

The Leadership Shift at Southbank Centre

Misan Harriman, chair of the Southbank Centre since 2021, has announced that he will not seek another term and will step down in autumn 2026. This decision comes after a month of intense scrutiny and criticism of his social media activity.

The Controversy Surrounding Harriman

Harriman was accused of sharing a conspiracy about the Golders Green attack, which critics argued risked minimizing the antisemitic nature of the attack. He was also criticized for comments about Reform voters, with one headline reading 'Southbank Centre chief 'compares Reform victory to Holocaust''.

The Impact on Harriman's Role

The controversy led to a significant backlash, with critics calling for Harriman's resignation as chair of the Southbank Centre. Despite this, Harriman maintained that his decision to step down was not related to the recent 'antisemitism' row.

The Future of Southbank Centre

A spokesperson for the Southbank Centre confirmed that Harriman had decided in January not to seek a third term and would step down in autumn 2026. Succession planning is already underway, with further details to be confirmed following the centre's AGM in July.