The Imperial War Museum (IWM) in London has permanently closed its long-running Victoria Cross gallery, which housed over 200 medals loaned by Lord Ashcroft since 2010. The closure, which occurred in June 2025, coincided with the launch of a new virtual tour titled "Refracted Histories: Exploring LGBTQ+ Stories in Times of Conflict." Lord Ashcroft, a Conservative peer and donor who contributed £5 million to establish the original gallery, criticized the museum for sidelining military gallantry in favor of contemporary themes, claiming he was not informed in advance of the decision.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between traditional military heritage and efforts to diversify museum narratives. The IWM defended its decision, stating the LGBTQ+ tour expands visibility of underrepresented stories and that the former gallery space will be repurposed to cover post-World War II conflicts. The dispute reflects broader debates in the cultural sector about how institutions balance historical commemoration with inclusive programming, and the role of private donors in shaping museum priorities.