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George Osborne admits he thought Peter Thiel's secret Bayeux Tapestry viewing at the British Museum would stay hidden

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026 · last updated 20 September 2026.

Peter Thiel holds a controversial £330m NHS data contract and supplies AI software used in Gaza military strikes, George Osborne has now admitted arranging a secret museum visit for him.
Peter Thiel holds a controversial £330m NHS data contract and supplies AI software used in Gaza military strikes, George Osborne has now admitted arranging a secret museum visit for him.
The Bayeux Tapestry in London with development director Charlotte Appleyard hosting the visit George Osborne expected to stay secret.
The Bayeux Tapestry in London with development director Charlotte Appleyard hosting the visit George Osborne expected to stay secret.

British Museum chair George Osborne has admitted he arranged a private viewing of the Bayeux Tapestry for tech billionaire Peter Thiel and expected the visit to remain secret. Osborne was away on holiday when Thiel was entertained by development director Charlotte Appleyard; the tapestry had opened to the public on 18 August, and the visit came before that date. The episode was reportedly exposed shortly afterwards, obliging Osborne to answer for it publicly at the Big Brue festival in Somerset.

Thiel, a Trump backer and founder of Palantir, holds a controversial £330m NHS data contract and supplies AI software used in Gaza military strikes.

Osborne said Thiel has not offered money to the museum, but admitted the board would have to weigh 'the reputational risks' if he did.

Osborne also defended taking BP funding, warning that refusing cash from oil, tech and banking firms could end free public access to the museum.

MoreThe GuardianGeorge Osborne ‘thought Peter Thiel’s Bayeux tapestry visit would be secret’ua.newsOsborne did not expect publicity over Thiel’s visit
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