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I have started a petition to the British prime minister that Sir Nicholas Serota should not be reappointed as director of the Tate gallery. Details are below.

SIGN THE PETITION AT:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/tatedirector
You must be a British citizen or resident.

Important: Where it says "confirm email", you have to enter your email address again. Then click the "sign" button. A message should appear, saying you have been sent an email. When you get the email, it contains a link, which you have to click to validate your name. (If you don't get the email, check your bulk/spam folder.) Then check the petition, to make sure your name has appeared. Any problems, contact the epetitions team - email address on www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page50.asp

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to state that he will not give his approval to any reappointment of Sir Nicholas Serota as Director of the Tate gallery.

Sir Nicholas Serota was appointed as Director of the Tate gallery in 1988 on a seven year contract, renewed in 1995 and again in 2002. It expires on 31 August 2009, and the appointment of a Director for the next seven years must be decided by 31 August this year.

The appointment is made by the Tate Trustees with the Prime Minister’s approval, as stated in the Museums and Galleries Act 1992 (c. 44) 1992 CHAPTER 44, Schedule 2: The Board of Trustees of the Tate Gallery: 3 (1):

There shall be a Director of the Tate Gallery who shall be appointed by the Board with the approval of the Prime Minister

By law, it is therefore within the Prime Minister’s remit and powers to give or withhold approval. It is also within his remit and powers to state his intention in this regard.