American oligarch and Palantir’s co-founder, Peter Thiel, who was friends with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, was given a private VIP viewing of the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum in August, hosted by the museum’s director of development. Meanwhile, the public faced queues of up to 80,000 people for tickets.
The Guardian reported on the incident, adding:
In response to queries from the Guardian, a source at the museum confirmed that the visit took place. It is understood the museum chair, George Osborne, was aware of the viewing but did not attend with Thiel.
British Museum Thiel backlash
Green Party deputy leader, Zack Polanski, shared the article, saying:
While millions won’t get access to this treasure, the billionaire tech bros class get free VIP access. End Rip Off Britain. Send Palantir packing.
While millions won’t get access to this treasure, the billionaire tech bros class get free VIP access.
End Rip Off Britain. Send Palantir packing.https://t.co/oUc71WcsdB
— Zack Polanski (@ZackPolanski) August 31, 2026
Green peer, Natalie Bennett, also expressed anger at the incident, calling for #OsborneOut. She said she volunteered previously at the museum.
I spent happy years as [a] volunteer @britishmuseum & knew quite a few staff.
Bet they, & today’s volunteers, are rightly _really_ unhappy.
” It is understood the museum chair, George Osborne, was aware of the viewing” – #OsborneOuthttps://t.co/7gVMoF1riQ
— Natalie Bennett (@natalieben) September 1, 2026
Museum chairperson criticised
Art critic for the Observer, Laura Cumming, slammed George Osborne on X, saying she was denied access to the British Museum despite many media requests. She was told it was a condition of the deal with the French government that nobody could see the Bayeux Tapestry until it was officially open.
Cumming demanded an answer from Osborne as to why Thiel got to see it then, when she had been refused.
I could not get access to @britishmuseum despite MANY REQUESTS to write a feature for my paper as it was a condition of the deal with the French Govt that nobody could see it until officially open
What is the explanation for this @George_Osborne???
https://t.co/SksNCmtNSY— Laura Cumming (@LauraCummingArt) August 31, 2026
Mark Seddon, former speechwriter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, said that the British Museum belongs to the public and asked how they can show Osborne the back door.
The British Museum belongs to us, the public. How can we show the wretched @George_Osborne the back door? https://t.co/USBBnNQGGm
— Mark Seddon (@MarkSeddon1962) September 1, 2026
He added:
The British Museum is part financed by us, the taxpayer. Why do its bosses think that American oligarchs are more important than us, the public?
UK elite in American tech monopolies
Former British Chancellor Osborne joined the US company OpenAI as managing director and head of OpenAI for Countries in December 2025.
At that time, the FT reported on his role, writing:
Osborne’s role will be to lead all of OpenAI’s work deploying AI with overseas governments, spanning from developing infrastructure to using the technology for education and training.
The appointment is part of a pattern of the UK’s political elite joining American oligarch companies.
The Telegraph also noted at the time:
Mr Osborne is the second former Conservative chancellor to join a primary AI business in recent months. In October, Rishi Sunak was hired as an advisor to Anthropic, a key rival to OpenAI. Separately, Sir Nick Clegg, who was deputy prime minister under David Cameron and worked alongside Mr Osborne, previously served as head of global affairs at Facebook owner Meta, a role he left earlier this year.
The incident with Thiel receiving a private viewing is the latest example showing that the UK political class appears more loyal to American oligarchs than to the British public.
Featured image via Laura Gallant/ TimeOut
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