Starmer appoints Rishi Sunak's wife as V&A trustee
Rishi Sunak's wife has been appointed a trustee at one of Britain's leading museums by Sir Keir Starmer.
Akshata Murty was confirmed by the Prime Minister as one of six new appointments at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which announced her appointment, said it was hoped she could bring her experience in both business and No 10 to the role.
A spokesman added: ' Akshata is passionate about education and the power of creativity to have positive effects on young people.
'With her husband, former prime minister Rishi Sunak, Akshata is a co-founder of The Richmond Project, a charity focused on enabling social mobility by breaking down barriers to numeracy. She is also a keen supporter of the UK's veteran community.'
The role of trustee entails scrutinising and promoting the museum's work, as well as seeking out chairmen to handle its day-to-day running.
Ms Murty, who together with her husband is worth an estimated £651 million, will oversee the work of Tristram Hunt, the current V&A chairman, who is a vocal advocate for returning contested artefacts to their countries of origin.
The Telegraph revealed in 2023 that the museum was one of several whose Indian collections were being targeted for repatriation by government officials in New Delhi.
Under Narendra Modi, the country's prime minister, India has been pursuing long-term plans to reclaim artefacts removed by British soldiers and collectors.
Ms Murty's mother, Sudha, was appointed to the Indian parliament by Mr Modi in 2024. She is married to Narayana Murthy, the billionaire chairman of technology company Infosys.
The former prime minister's wife was appointed to help fill slots vacated by V&A trustees who have completed their four-year terms.
Presenter and author among other appointees
Other new trustees include Nigel Newton, the Bloomsbury publishing chief executive, Pedro Pina, a YouTube vice-president, and Andrew Keith, the retail veteran.
Also appointed by Sir Keir are Mariella Frostrup, the broadcaster and author, and Vick Hope, the television presenter and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant.
Trustees, including Ms Murty, must apply through an official process before their selection is signed off by the serving prime minister.
The Sunaks are now thought to be splitting their time between the UK and US, after the former prime minister announced in January this year that he would be taking up a visiting fellowship role at Stanford University, as well as a position at the University of Oxford's Blavatnik School of Government.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir has also approved several new appointments at the British Museum, also in the capital.
Its new trustees include Claudia Winkleman, the presenter of the popular television programme The Traitors, along with Martha Kearney, presenter of BBC Radio 4's The World at One, and Tom Holland, the historian.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
29 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Gibraltar not joining Schengen free travel area under deal with EU, says Lammy
The prospect of Gibraltar 'joining' the European Schengen free travel area was 'never on the table', the Foreign Secretary told the Commons. The agreement on a 'fluid border' will allow travellers to cross by land without checks. Those flying into Gibraltar from the UK will face one check from Gibraltarian officials and another by the Spanish on behalf of the EU. In a statement on the agreement, Mr Lammy said: 'Residents of Gibraltar and residents of nearby Spanish communities will be able to go about their daily lives as they have done before. 'For those arriving by air into Gibraltar's airport, there will be a dual border control check, in a model similar to French police operating in London St Pancras station. 'Ignore the fake news, Gibraltar will not be joining Schengen. This was never on the table. Immigration, policing and justice in Gibraltar will remain the responsibilities of Gibraltar's authorities. 'For products entering Gibraltar across its land border, there will be a unique goods and customs model, avoiding the need for onerous checks at the border. 'And with this pragmatic solution, flights will be able to operate from Gibraltar airport to across Europe, driving growth and jobs for the people of Gibraltar. 'This Government is showing that a pragmatic, positive relationship with the European Union pays off for the British public.' The move could also see airlines start to add flights to Gibraltar from countries other than the UK in a boost to tourism. Officials say a hard border would have been introduced under the EU's incoming exit and entry control system if no deal was reached, causing delays for some 15,000 people who cross the border every day as every individual passport was checked. Talks on rules governing the border have been ongoing since Britain left the European Union in 2020. An agreement for the future relationship between the EU and the UK in relation to Gibraltar is now a reality. It is a historic agreement. — Fabian Picardo (@FabianPicardo) June 11, 2025 Conservative former minister Dame Harriett Baldwin asked: 'Can a British citizen flying from the UK to Gibraltar now be stopped by a Spanish official as they land?' Mr Lammy replied: 'There will be a second line queue, as there is in St Pancras, and there will be Spanish border guards and police situated in that second line. 'And of course, if there was an alert, then at that point, not on their own, but at that point, there would be a hand-back facility with the Gibraltar police, so they are working alongside that Spanish team. 'And if there was an alert, then the individual would have a right to legal advice. They would be either be able to return to their country of origin, let's say the UK, or they would be able to voluntarily go over to Spain to face the questions they are facing.' Deputy leader of Reform UK Richard Tice pressed the minister on whether Spanish border officials 'have an effective veto on the entry of a British citizen from the United Kingdom landing on British sovereign territory in Gibraltar'. Mr Lammy said if Mr Tice flew to Gibraltar and there was an alert in the Schengen system 'he would be handed back to the Gibraltarians, where he might feel more comfortable'. 'He will be able to access his rights and the legal system that he says he feels comfortable with, which is ours, and he would be able to return to the United Kingdom, where no doubt the Spanish would seek to extradite him, and many in this House would be rather pleased,' he said. Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel urged the Government to 'safeguard our defence and interest' and maintain operations of the UK's military facilities. Gibraltar's airport is run by the Ministry of Defence and hosts an RAF base. The overseas territory also has an important naval facility. Dame Priti said: 'Can he confirm that nothing will be agreed that infringes on our ability to operate the base? And will members of our armed forces be able to access Gibraltar without needing Schengen checks?' She continued: 'Our principles have been that nothing compromises or infringes on the sovereignty and constitutional arrangements of Gibraltar, it is to remain British.' Mr Lammy said he had insisted on a 'sovereignty clause' in the treaty, after both the UK and Gibraltar governments insisted the changes would not affect the British overseas territory's sovereignty. He added: 'On the military base, it will continue to operate as it does today. There will be zero change. It's vital for UK national security, it's protected by this agreement, and that was a red line for us throughout these negotiations.' Gibraltar was ceded to the UK by Spain in 1713 and the population is heavily in favour of remaining a British overseas territory. The last time it voted on a proposal to share sovereignty with Spain, in 2002, almost 99% of Gibraltarians rejected the move.
South Wales Guardian
29 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
King Charles: 'Desperately shocked' by Air India crash
Air India has confirmed that 169 passengers are Indian nationals, 53 are British, one is Canadian, and seven are Portuguese. The flight was departing from Ahmedabad airport, and the plane was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Gatwick Airport confirmed the plane travelling from Ahmedabad Airport was due to land at 6.25pm UK time. A message from His Majesty The King following this morning's tragic incident in Ahmedabad. In a post on X, the Royal Family said: "My wife and I have been desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning. "Our special prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected by this appallingly tragic incident across so many nations, as they wait for news of their loved ones. "I would like to pay a particular tribute to the heroic efforts of the emergency service and all those providing help and support at this most heartbreaking and traumatic time." Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously shared a statement: "The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating. 'I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.' Recommended Reading Prime Minister's 'thoughts' are with the passengers on crashed Air India flight Flight to London Gatwick from India crashes with 244 people on board 53 British nationals were on board crashed Air India flight bound for Gatwick The Government previously said it would provide 'all the support that it can' to those on the Air India flight bound for Gatwick Airport, which crashed shortly after take off, Commons Leader Lucy Powell said. In a statement on X, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: 'The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. 'In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.'
Scotsman
35 minutes ago
- Scotsman
John Swinney watched Air India plane crash with 'absolute horror' as Scots urged to call Foreign Office
John Swinney has spoken about the Air India crash that has appeared to kill all 242 people on board. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... First Minister John Swinney has described watching the events surrounding the Air India plane crash with 'absolute horror' as he urged Scots who believe a family member was on the flight to contact the Foreign Office. Ahmedabad police commissioner Gyanendra Singh Malik has said there appears to be no survivors after a Gatwick Airport-bound plane carrying 53 British nationals crashed shortly after take-off in India on Thursday. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Debris is seen at the site where Air India flight 171 crashed in a residential area near the airport in Ahmedabad. Picture: Sam Panthaky/AFP via Getty Images A video of the incident circulating online shows the Air India aircraft, which was carrying 242 people, including 12 crew, flying over a residential area before crashing, creating what appears to be a huge fireball followed by large plumes of black smoke. Images of the aftermath of the crash showed parts of the plane embedded into a residential building as firefighters continued to tackle the smoke. Pieces of the aircraft's landing gear, fuselage and tail could all be seen protruding from the building. AP Speaking in Holyrood, Mr Swinney said: 'I've watched the unfolding events with absolute horror and I feel enormous sympathy for everyone who's affected by this situation. There are, of course, a number of British nationals on the flight, a sizable number. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We are obviously in touch with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office about any implications for families in Scotland, but it's absolutely terrifying circumstances to witness, my heart goes out to everyone affected. 'I would encourage anyone who's concerned about a loved one who may have been on that flight to contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and of course we will do all that we can to support families in Scotland.' The airline said the flight was departing from Ahmedabad Airport with 242 people on board the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Air India also said 169 passengers were Indian nationals, 53 were British, one was Canadian and seven were Portuguese.
