Head of Serpentine Galleries resigns after 'toxic attacks'

The head of the Serpentine Galleries has resigned over “toxic attacks” and “bullying” following claims a regulated, institutional fund, managed by her husband’s investment firm, had a majority stake in an Israeli tech company that is alleged to have supplied spyware to authoritarian regimes

Yana Peel quit the London art gallery saying she had been subject to “attacks… based upon inaccurate media reports now subject to legal complaints”, adding she had faced “a concerted lobbying campaign against my husband’s recent investment”.

Reports emerged last week about the ownership structure of NSO Group, a £790m Israeli tech firm which is subject to lawsuits alleging its technology was used to target dissidents and their associates, including a friend of murdered Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. All allegations against NSO are unproven and remain contested by the company.

In a statement, Ms Peel said: “I have decided I am better able to continue my work in supporting the arts, the advancement of human rights and freedom of expression by moving away from my current role.