Photography collection move from Bradford to V&A reviled as 'cultural vandalism'

The decision to move a photography collection in Bradford to the V&A Museum in London has been reviled as “an appalling act of cultural vandalism”.

The move will see 400,000 photographs moved from Bradford to London to create the “foremost collection on the art of photograph”.

ITV News Correspondent Damon Green reports:

The decision has angered local politicians and supporters of the regional museum, who argue the drive to improve arts facilities outside London has been forgotten.

Simon Cooke, Conservative leader of the opposition at Bradford Council, called for the deal to be reviewed and accused the V&A of “robbing” the city of its art.

In an open letter, he said: “This is an appalling act of cultural vandalism."

The collection dates from 1827 to 2016 and has been based in Bradford's National Media Museum since 2003.

Among the photographs moving to the V&A include works by photography pioneers William Henry Fox Talbot, who invented the negative/positive process for producing photographs.