Tate under pressure over BP

A petition organised by a coalition of pressure groups and signed by 8,000 people is urging Tate Trustees to break links with the oil company BP due to “to the devastating impacts BP has around the world”. Tate’s decision about whether to renew its sponsorship contract with oil giant BP is due to be made soon. At its AGM, Director Nicholas Serota said: “The Trustees… have decided not to withdraw from that partnership in the belief that the good that has been done through the money… that has come from BP for the gallery, and for the gallery’s public, has been very profound. They are in the process of deciding whether or not to extend the relationship.” Those organising the petition include Liberate Tate, Platform and Art Not Oil. Mel Evans of Platform said: “oil companies like BP are chaining us to a dangerously outdated energy model while also actively lobbying to undermine low-carbon legislation. Tate needs to find sponsors that are in keeping with its commitment to sustainability and the human rights agenda.”