Misan Harriman Steps Down as Southbank Centre Chair Amid Social Media Controversy
Misan Harriman, aged 48, will resign from his position as chair of London's Southbank Centre in the autumn of 2026, opting not to pursue a third term. This choice, made in January, comes after critical media scrutiny from the Telegraph, Times, Daily Mail, Daily Express, and GB News regarding his social media activity. Harriman, who made history in 2020 as the first Black male photographer to feature on a British Vogue cover, was selected by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for family portraits in 2021 and received an Oscar nomination in 2024. Following accusations of downplaying antisemitism, over 60 MPs called for inquiries. Supporters, including Greta Thunberg, defended him against what they termed a 'dishonest smear campaign.' Harriman asserts his innocence and has lodged complaints against several media outlets.
Key facts
- Misan Harriman steps down as Southbank Centre chair in autumn 2026.
- Decision made in January 2026, announced after months of press criticism.
- First Black male photographer to shoot British Vogue cover (September 2020).
- Photographed Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in 2021.
- Received Oscar nomination for short film in 2024.
- Documentary 'Shoot the People' about his protest photography released.
- Over 60 MPs and peers called for investigation into his social media posts.
- Open letter of support signed by Greta Thunberg, Tracey Emin, Gary Lineker.
Entities
Artists
- Misan Harriman
- Edward Enninful
- Nadine Ijewere
- Marcus Rashford
- Adwoa Aboah
- Charlie Phillips
- Vanley Burke
- Jennie Baptiste
- Campbell Addy
- Clement Cooper
- Tracey Emin
- Gary Lineker
- Benjamin Moser
- Mehdi Hasan
- Hugh Grant
- Susan Sontag
- Stanley Kubrick
- Muhammad Ali
- Steve Biko
- Jared Kushner
- Ivanka Trump
- Robert Jenrick
- Karen Pollock
- Lisa Nandy
- Nicholas Serota
- George Osborne
- Reginald D Hunter
- Darcy Bourne
- Shloime Rand
- Moshe Shine
- Ishmail Hussein
- Essa Suleiman
- Wunmi Onibudo
- Chief Hope Harriman
- Leslie Harriman
- Camilla Harriman
Institutions
- Southbank Centre
- British Vogue
- The Guardian
- The Telegraph
- The Times
- Daily Mail
- Daily Express
- GB News
- Arts Council England
- Charity Commission
- Holocaust Educational Trust
- Campaign Against Antisemitism
- Independent Press Standards Organisation
- Hacked Off
- Watermelon Pictures
- Watermelon+
- The Voice
- Bradfield College
- Stubbington House
- Royal Navy
- United Nations
- New York Knicks
- NBA
- Reform UK
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- New York City
- United States
- Nigeria
- Kenya
- Albania
- Israel
- Gaza
- Sudan
- Congo
- Golders Green
- Southwark
- Groucho Club
- Disneyland