British Museum hosted Palantir founder Peter Thiel in private viewing of Bayeux tapestry
Summary
The British Museum hosted tech billionaire Peter Thiel for a private viewing of the Bayeux tapestry before it opened to the public. Thiel is the founder of Palantir, a software company with controversial government contracts, including a large deal with the NHS in the UK.Key Facts
- Peter Thiel visited the British Museum for a special preview of the Bayeux tapestry on August 18.
- The museum’s director of development, Charlotte Appleyard, hosted the viewing, and museum chair George Osborne knew about it but did not attend.
- Some museum staff worried about giving special access to Thiel due to his ties to Jeffrey Epstein and Palantir’s controversial role in public contracts.
- The museum uses a system called “lux hours” to limit light exposure and protect the tapestry; no public viewing hours were taken away for this private event.
- Thiel is not a donor to the British Museum and no money was received from him or his companies.
- Public ticket sales for the Bayeux tapestry had long online queues, with tens of thousands waiting for a chance to visit.
- Palantir has multiple contracts with UK public agencies, including a £330 million NHS deal that has drawn criticism.
- London’s mayor blocked a £50 million Palantir contract with the Metropolitan Police, and the company is challenging the decision in court.
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