Photo of Disraeli among missing parliamentary works of art, FoI request finds

A significant number of artworks, including a photograph of former Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, have gone missing from UK parliamentary collections, a freedom of information request has revealed. The Press Association obtained a list detailing more than 65 items that have been unaccounted for since 2024.

Among the misplaced works are an engraved portrait of William Wilberforce, a prominent abolitionist, and a photograph of Margaret Beckett, Britain's first female foreign secretary. The list also includes a satirical cartoon by Martin Rowson, which depicted the 1995 Conservative leadership battle, and a cartoon of Barbara Castle.

These missing pieces represent a notable loss from publicly owned collections managed by parliamentary authorities. The discovery raises questions about the security and inventory management of these valuable cultural assets. The ongoing absence of these works since 2024 highlights a concerning lapse in oversight.