National Gallery accused of segregating outsourced security staff

A senior curator has alleged that the National Gallery in London separates its outsourced security guards, the majority of whom are from ethnic‑minority backgrounds, from the rest of the workforce. The guards are barred from a well‑equipped “hub” used by in‑house staff and are instead required to take breaks in a cramped, poorly ventilated basement room with broken furniture, rodent problems and no natural light.

The curator, who asked to remain anonymous, described the situation as treating security staff like “second‑class citizens”. The PCS union, which represents the guards, says they are being shown “absolute contempt” and have raised concerns about both discrimination and the potential risk to the gallery’s collection. The National Gallery has responded that the hub’s access restrictions are due to space constraints and to avoid overcrowding, but the guards report that the hub remains unused during weekends and holidays.

The dispute has sparked debate over workplace equality within cultural institutions and has prompted calls for the gallery to improve facilities for its security personnel.