Chris Garrard

The @britishmuseum is closing early due to extreme heat. In October, it opens a new major exhibition sponsored by fossil fuel giant, BP. #jointhedots #climate

The brutality of these awful regimes @AlsisiOfficial @Keir_Starmer We are forced to share live documentation of our mother's slow death in one final attempt to get them to recognise the urgency of our situation, reach a resolution, and save her before it is too late! #FreeAlaa

Some crucial context - for transparency - which Cullinan skilfully fails to mention, is that the @britishmuseum takes money from big oil (BP) and tobacco (JTI). There’s a debate to be had about arts funding but the ethical consensus really is pretty clear on these industries…

I presume Nick missed BP’s announcement just a few weeks ago that the company is ditching its climate goals, slashing renewables and ploughing money into new oil and gas? 🤷‍♂️ Rather than misleadingly moralising in an oped, maybe Nick could address that clear ethical conflict?

There are challenges for arts funding but the Director of the @britishmuseum is well placed to champion the alternatives and solutions - while *actually* applying ethical standards to his sponsors and getting his own house in order…

A crucial distinction - one wilfully overlooked here by the (BP-sponsored) @britishmuseum Director Nick Cullinan - is there is opposition to *unethical* cultural sponsorship that furthers damaging fossil fuel, arms and rights violating businesses…not sponsorship in general. 🙄

@ThangamDebb It’s not true that “only culture loses” - it does huge disservice to artists/workers for their labour to be used and appropriated for corporate promotion and influence by unethical firms. Such partnerships are not philanthropy, and so they require proper ethical scrutiny.

@ThangamDebb Sadly, Nick’s piece contains several inaccuracies and misleading claims. And there is a crucial distinction to be made here between corporate partnerships in general - and those that explicitly endorse and further the business of major polluters like BP or weapons producers.

A letter from Laila's doctor explaining the deep gravity of the situation. Keir Starmer must call President Sisi before it's too late. Today is Day 149 of her hunger strike. How much longer can she hold on?

…but if the coal-mining and weapons-manufacturing conglomerate #Adani does it, that’s fine for Bob Ward… 🙃 No, #Rosebank shouldn’t be approved. But nor should the @sciencemuseum be giving endorsement to a major fossil fuel producer in Adani. theguardian.com/environment/20…

Important that we don’t conflate opposition to those companies that cross an ethical red line w/ opposition to sponsorship in general. After all, it was @BaillieGifford that could have divested and backed book festivals. But instead, it bailed and blamed authors in FFB. 2/2

Some important points made by @GarethRubin in the @guardian - but disagree with his take on Fossil Free Books. Applying ethical standards to corporate sponsors is just good practice, and the sector should be responsive to concerns of stakeholders… 1/2 theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

Bring Alaa home @Keir_Starmer #FreeAlaa ✨️

I’m thinking of running as an MP so I can lose and get into the House of Lords.