‘Woke’: Australia’s London embassy erases history by removing high commissioners’ portraits

One hundred years of history has been stripped from Australia’s embassy in London with the removal of portraits of “white men”.

Exclusive: Australia’s embassy in London has been accused of cancelling more than 100 years of history with the removal of the portraits of the nation’s high commissioners to the UK.

Staff at Australia House on the Strand have quietly removed the photographs of our top diplomats in London, which previously adorned the walls along the stairs.

They will now be warehoused, with the images put on a website instead.

Sources in London claimed the images were stripped because they were of “white men” who were “symbols of patriarchy”, with the embassy wanting to appear more inclusive.

“This is just another woke erasure of history. Just because someone happened to be of a certain gender or race does not mean their contribution should be hidden,” a political source said.

“It’s entirely against the idea of treating people equally, no matter their race or background.

“It’s also terrible for Australia’s global reputation to be endorsing divisive identity politics, to tell the world that we are backwards and embarrassed about our past. Australia’s diplomats should be aware that Brits do not look kindly on cancel culture these days.”

The Australian Embassy building on The Strand in London, England. Picture: Supplied

Lynette Wood, Australia’s acting High Commissioner to the UK, denied there was an agenda behind the removal of the portraits.

“This is certainly not true at all,” Ms Wood said.

The High Commission said in a statement the portraits would be put online instead of being returned to the walls of Australia House.

“The portraits of former High Commissioners are in the process of being digitised,” a statement said.

“Following digitalisation, the portraits will be archived on the Australian High Commission website, enabling greater access to the important historical information on all Heads of Mission who have served in the UK.”

Australia’s acting high commissioner to the UK, Lynette Wood. Picture: Ella Pellegrini

The disappearance of the portraits has been the talk of London’s diplomatic circles, with their absence noted at a recent function.

“The excuse about ‘digitalisation’ is obviously total nonsense. They should at least have the guts to admit their true motivations,” a source added.

There were 26 portraits honouring each of Australia’s High Commissioners to the UK, honouring those who led the diplomatic mission.

Alexander Downer. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Images of former High Commissioners George Brandis, Alexander Downer, Mike Rann and John Dauth all the way back to the first to take on the role, Sir George Reid and former Australian Prime Minister Andrew Fisher.

Foreign dignitaries walked past the portraits on the way to the High Commissioner’s office on the upper levels of the grand building.

Australia House on The Strand stitches together the fabric of expat society in London.

The building hosts receptions, including welcoming Australians who were invited to the Queen’s funeral in September.

George Brandis. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Australia’s Ashes teams are also usually welcomed at functions there, while business and political leaders from across the world are regularly wined and dined there.

The building was one of the most expensive in the world when it was built, and has featured in movies including as the set of Gringotts bank in the Harry Potter movies.

The office of Foreign Minister Penny Wong was not told about the move before the portraits were taken down.

Originally published as ‘Woke’: Australia’s London embassy erases history by removing high commissioners’ portraits