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  "path": "/celebrity/southbank-chairman-misan-harriman-tv-stars-rally-behind-him",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-19T08:34:39.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "critics called for the Southbank Centre chairman to resign over his social media activity",
    "Married at First Sight UK brides make serious sexual assault allegations in Panorama investigation",
    "Adil Ray sparks backlash as he brands Unite the Kingdom march ‘worst anti-Muslim hate in my life’",
    "Look Mum No Computer says British people ‘aren’t very intelligent’ in unearthed Eurovision interview",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nBrian Cox, Louis Theroux and Gary Lineker are among a host of celebrities backing Misan Harriman after critics called for the Southbank Centre chairman to resign over his social media activity.\n\nMr Harriman, chairman of the Southbank Centre board of governors, has become embroiled in a growing row after a letter published in The Times accused him of promoting a “divisive” political agenda online.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe photographer and activist, who has chaired the board since 2021, has more than 540,000 followers on Instagram.\n\nCritics claimed his online activity was “hugely damaging to the reputation of the Southbank Centre” and questioned whether his conduct was appropriate for someone leading an organisation which received £18million in government funding last year.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe letter calling for Mr Harriman’s resignation was signed by former Southbank Centre trustee David Kershaw, former BBC television director Danny Cohen, historian Andrew Roberts and television producers Leo Pearlman and Neil Blair.\n\n“Harriman’s tenure since 2021 risks undermining an important British institution that received £18million from the Government last year,” the signatories wrote.\n\nThe group also claimed Mr Harriman’s social media activity may breach Charity Commission guidance relating to trustees.\n\n“Rather than promoting the Southbank, Harriman makes daily interventions on social media, pushing a divisive political agenda,” the letter stated.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIt concluded: “Harriman’s appointment was a misstep by an institution that requires serious leadership. It is time for him to go.”\n\nHowever, supporters of the chairman have since rallied behind him in significant numbers, with a rival letter attracting more than 21,000 signatures.\n\nThe counter-letter accused “right-wing newspapers” of attempting to orchestrate a smear campaign against Mr Harriman.\n\nHollywood actress Susan Sarandon also signed the petition alongside actors Aimee Lou Wood, Brian Cox, Hugh Bonneville and Eddie Marsan.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Married at First Sight UK brides make serious sexual assault allegations in Panorama investigation\n  * Adil Ray sparks backlash as he brands Unite the Kingdom march ‘worst anti-Muslim hate in my life’\n  * Look Mum No Computer says British people ‘aren’t very intelligent’ in unearthed Eurovision interview\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nBroadcaster Gary Lineker also threw his support behind Mr Harriman, alongside presenter Laura Whitmore and documentary-maker Louis Theroux.\n\nThe music and arts world was similarly represented, with Annie Lennox, Hozier and artist Tracey Emin all adding their names to what supporters described as a “handraiser” in defence of the Southbank chairman.\n\nResponding to the backlash, the Southbank Centre defended the right of board members to express their views publicly.\n\nA spokesman for the organisation said: “The Southbank Centre is an inclusive and welcoming place for everyone including our artists, audience and all colleagues.”\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe institution added that it “condemns all forms of antisemitism, hatred and discrimination”.\n\nRegarding Mr Harriman’s social media activity, the spokesman added: “All Southbank Centre board members, including the chair, have the right to exercise their freedom of expression within the law.”\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe Southbank Centre also stressed that the personal opinions of individual board members do not represent the organisation’s official position and have no influence over its programming.\n\nGB News has reached out to Mr Harriman for comment.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "UK TV stars rally behind Southbank chairman Misan Harriman amid alleged 'smear campaign'"
}