British Museum’s plan for ‘red, white and blue’ ball sparks row

Exclusive: some staff claim the theme is ‘in poor taste’ following a rise in flag-hoisting across the UK

An internal row has broken out within the British Museum over its director’s suggestion of a “red, white and blue” themed ball for 2026, after staff condemned it as “in poor taste” following the rise in flag-hoisting across the UK.

Nicholas Cullinan, the director of the 272-year-old museum, has proposed a colour theme based on the union jack and French tricolore to mark next year’s loan of the Bayeux tapestry from Normandy.