Why the National Portrait Gallery has been accused of a ‘barefaced lie’

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe National Portrait Gallery has been criticised for displaying a video installation by artist Helen Cammock that accuses Sir Winston Churchill of causing the 1943 Bengal famine through "wilful" mass starvation. Lord Andrew Roberts, a historian and former gallery trustee, condemned Cammock's claims as a "barefaced lie" in a letter countersigned by over 50 members of the House of Lords, including Churchill's grandson. Lord Roberts argued that the Bengal famine was caused by a 1942 typhoon that destroyed crops and infrastructure, and highlighted Churchill's efforts to secure food aid from other nations. While Sir Winston remains a revered figure, his policies during the Bengal famine and comments on race and empire have drawn criticism, with 2019 research suggesting the famine was due to British policy failure rather than drought. The National Portrait Gallery stated it supports freedom of artistic expression but does not necessarily endorse all opinions expressed by artists in its exhibitions. In fullRow breaks out over National Portrait Gallery claims that Churchill starved IndiansThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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