Blind man threatens to sue British Museum after it 'failed to provide audio description tour of Bayeux Tapestry'
Law firm Leigh Day penned a letter to the prestigious institution on behalf of Dr Yusuf Ali Osman - insisting the museum had breached the Equality Act.
Published: 19:32 BST, 30 September 2026 | Updated: 08:03 BST, 1 October 2026
A blind man has threatened to sue the British Museum for disability discrimination after it allegedly failed to provide an audio description tour of the Bayeux Tapestry.
Law firm Leigh Day penned a letter to the prestigious institution on behalf of Dr Yusuf Ali Osman - insisting the museum had breached the Equality Act.
The tapestry, an embroidered record of the Norman Conquest, is on display at the museum for one year in a historic loan from France .
Dr Osman, who has no sight in either eye, contacted the museum in July 2026 to ask whether audio described tours would be available, Leigh Day said.
But the firm claims the museum told Dr Osman self-guided visits would be prioritised over programmed tours and events due to restrictions on visitor numbers - caused by the number of hours of light exposure permitted on the tapestry each week.
On Wednesday the museum added an in-person audio-described tour would be provided during the exhibition run and it is exploring including an audio-described tour on an app.
Nevertheless, Dr Osman is seeking damages, a declaration that he has been discriminated against and an order requiring the museum to amend its policies and ensure relevant staff receive disability awareness training.
Dr Osman, from Croydon, said: 'I hope that this legal action will help make sure that blind and partially sighted people are properly considered when major exhibitions are planned, so that we can enjoy and engage with our national cultural institutions on a more equal footing.'
Law firm Leigh Day penned a letter to the prestigious institution on behalf of Dr Yusuf Ali Osman (pictured) - insisting the museum had breached the Equality Act
People view the Bayeux Tapestry today as it goes on display to the public at the museum
People queue to enter the British Museum in London for the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition
His solicitor Kate Egerton added: 'The Equality Act places obligations on service providers to anticipate the needs of disabled people and take reasonable steps to avoid substantial disadvantage.
'Our client is asking for the same opportunity as sighted visitors to experience this exhibition.'
The British Museum said: 'The museum is committed to making the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition as accessible as possible and has worked with specialist access consultants to inform the exhibition experience.
'Provisions include a sensory map to help visitors prepare for their visit, as well as dedicated tours during the exhibition run which will include an in, person audio, described tour.
'We are also exploring including a separate audio, described tour as part of the exhibition's app, based audio guide.'
Last week the museum announced visitors would no longer be able to photograph the 70-metre long tapestry to avoid delays for other visitors viewing the exhibition.
The sold-out exhibition had sparked 'Bayeux mania' in Britain as history buffs rushed to secure tickets to see the 'magical' embroidery.
But the British Museum apologised to visitors whose plans to see the tapestry were ruined by chaotic queues.
The embroidered panel story recounts the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings in 1066
People wait in line outside the British Museum as the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition opened
Scores of people with timed tickets were turned away or had their allotted 40-minute slot cut short.
One visitor arrived for his 4.20pm slot on Wednesday but was forced to wait more than two hours before reaching the first panel.
And just 20 minutes later, museum staff turned off the lights in the gallery and ordered everyone to leave.
Some people in the queue did not even manage to see the tapestry.
The museum has now said it is looking at ways to ease the congestion for its world-famous exhibition. It had already banned photography in an attempt to keep people moving along the embroidery.
The masterpiece will be shown at the museum for the next ten months, having left France for the first time since the 11th century in an extraordinary transfer operation.
The tapestry is considered to be one of the wonders of the medieval world and offers an insight into life in 11th century England both before and after the conquest, from castles, warfare and ships to clothing, food and furniture.
It was likely to have been commissioned by a Norman patron and made by English embroiderers, using manuscript drawings from Canterbury.
France has loaned Britain the medieval tapestry while its usual home in northern France is being refurbished.
In return, French museums will display England's Sutton Hoo collection of helmets, shields and other metal artwork dating back to the seventh century.
Conservators watched nervously as the delicate, 11th-century artwork was transported by truck in a risky operation from its home in northern France to London in July.
