Last Monday, culture secretary Oliver Dowden had his much-trailed video meeting with 25 heads of heritage bodies and museums. But the inflammatory language used on the right to condemn this kind of move, deliberately stoking a “culture war”, has had truly shameful consequences. It is much to be regretted, too, that English museums and heritage bodies have been obliged to divert resources into defending themselves from baseless charges – and during the Covid crisis. His job, his absolute duty, is to support and nurture the English arts in general and heritage organisations in particular. Bodies like the National Trust and English Heritage have been battered by the effects of Covid-19, losing visitors and revenue.

Source: The Guardian February 28, 2021 18:22 UTC