Ashcroft in will dispute as museum closes wing

THE world's largest collection of gallantry medals is to be removed from public display after Imperial War Museum bosses decided to close the wing that was built to house them.

- By Giles Sheldrick Chief Reporter

Now collector Lord Michael Ashcroft has scrapped a clause in his will bequeathing the exhibits, valued at £70million and including 200 Victoria Crosses.

The Lord Ashcroft Gallery was opened in 2010 and named in the entrepreneur's honour after he made a £5m donation and displayed his collection of gongs.

It will close on June 1, five days before the 81st anniversary of D-Day, when Lord Ashcroft's father Lt Eric Ashcroft waded ashore with the South Lancashire Regiment.

Museum chiefs said that the IWM's own, smaller, collection of VCs and George Crosses would be "displayed across our UK branches [and] integrated within galleries that tell the full story of the conflicts in which these acts of bravery occurred".

Lord Ashcroft, 78 former deputy chairman of the Tory Party report- edly learned of the closure decision while he was in Ukraine speaking to soldiers on the front line.