Campaigners hail victory after BP ends 27-year sponsorship of British Museum

BP's sponsorship of the British Museum has ended after 27 years, new disclosures make clear, bringing to a close one of the highest profile and most controversial sponsorship deals of recent years and marking the almost complete retreat of the fossil fuel giant from the British arts world.

- Esther Addley

In its most frank admission to date, obtained through freedom of information requests and seen by the Guardian, the museum said no further exhibitions or other activities were being sponsored by BP, and "there are no other contracts or agreements in effect between the museum and BP". 

Campaigners hailed the development as a "massive victory", after years in which the museum's Great Court has been the scene of often noisy and disruptive environmental protests.

It marks a dramatic retreat from the arts for BP, which until recently was one of the UK's leading arts sponsors. In recent years, the Tate, National Portrait Gallery, Royal Shakespeare Company, Scottish Ballet and Royal Opera House have all ended funding partnerships of many decades with the energy company.

Among major national museums and arts companies, only the Science Museum is still supported by BP, which funds its educational academy.