George Osborne admits private Bayeux tapestry viewing for Peter Thiel was meant to stay hidden

At a Somerset festival, former chancellor and museum chair George Osborne said a private preview of the Bayeux tapestry for Peter Thiel was organized during his vacation and was meant to remain secret. Charlotte Appleyard, the museum’s director of development, led the exclusive tour before the tapestry opened to the public on 18 August. Osborne clarified that Thiel has not provided financial support and any potential gift would be evaluated for both income benefits and reputational concerns.

He also highlighted the museum’s dependence on corporate donors, citing BP’s £50 million pledge, and argued that rejecting such money could jeopardize the institution’s operations. Osborne criticized protests that equate the museum’s funding decisions with foreign policy, especially regarding donors linked to Israel.