Opiod scandal: Rebuffal of donations shows big business is guilty until proven innocent in the arts world

UK arts industry is begging for investment, argues Chris Blackhurst, so why is it being so picky?

The Tate said it would not take future donations from the Sacklers (EPA)

First, the National Portrait Gallery refused a gift of £1m because the potential donors are accused of fuelling the US opioid scandal. Then the Tate followed suit and said it would not take future donations from the same source. Cue applause among campaigners against the addictive prescriptive painkillers.

It looks like a clear-cut case of ethical standards rightly overruling a quest for cash. But is it so black and white?

First, the Sackler family behind the eponymous trust that was making the donations has not been convicted of anything. They own Purdue Pharma, manufacturer of Oxycontin, one of the main drugs at the centre of the crisis. However, they deny the claims made against them.