THE chair of trustees at Cornwall’s leading theatre has stood down following protests about his involvement in a company affiliated with Israel’s Ministry of Defence. There are now calls for Lord John Hutton to resign as chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Economic Forum, a role in which he acts as an “ambassador for Cornwall’s business community”.

The Labour peer, who lives in Cornwall, is the chair and non-executive director of Pearson Engineering, a military equipment manufacturer which is owned by Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd, which in turn is owned and overseen by the Israeli Ministry of Defence.

He has been accused by activists of “profiting from genocide”. It has previously been stated at a Cornwall Council meeting that “any suggestion that Pearson is involved in any actions that might be considered unlawful either under international public law or under UK law is completely without foundation”.

A protest group, the Lord Hutton Campaign, which has dubbed him ‘War Lord Hutton’, launched on social media criticising what they say is his “leading role in the Israeli arms trade and his support of the genocide against the Palestinian people”. The campaign is claiming that following pressure from activists, the Hall for Cornwall requested that Lord Hutton resign his position as chair of trustees.

As well as posting ‘War Lord Hutton’ posters outside the Hall for Cornwall, protesters also plastered the County Hall / Lys Kernow sign at Cornwall Council’s headquarters in Truro last week when he was expected to visit for a meeting.

The Hall for Cornwall has not stated that it is down to outside pressure that Lord Hutton is standing down. The Truro theatre announced on Monday (September 8) that it was searching for a new chair.

“After more than three years, current chair Lord John Hutton is moving on, having played a key role in guiding Hall for Cornwall through an exciting period of growth following its multi-million-pound transformation, championing the theatre’s mission to inspire, entertain and enrich lives through the performing arts,” said a statement.

Julien Boast, chief executive of the Hall for Cornwall, added: “We are deeply grateful to John for his leadership during his time as chair. His experience, dedication and support for Hall for Cornwall have been invaluable, helping us to strengthen our role as a cultural beacon for the county. On behalf of the board and the staff team I would like to thank him and wish him the very best for the future.”

We asked the Hall for Cornwall if Lord Hutton’s departure was as a result of political pressure.

David Dodd, HfC’s marketing and communications director, said: “Lord Hutton’s decision to step down was made, and communicated to members of the board, some time ago. In relation to your specific question around Lord Hutton’s involvement with Hall for Cornwall, I know there was a brief focus on Hall for Cornwall by protesters recently. It was our staff who felt the impact of those – we have spent a fair bit of time talking to them to support and reassure them.”

Among those who put pressure on the Hall for Cornwall – and Lord Hutton himself – were those Cornish protesters who took part in demonstrations and were arrested for holding placards reading ‘I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action’ concerning the Government’s proscription of the action group.

One of them is Mat Osmond, from Constantine, who told us: “I was both gladdened and relieved to learn that Lord John Hutton has either been removed or has stepped down from his position as chair of Hall for Cornwall. As someone actively involved in Israel’s military economy, Hutton should never have held any public office here in Cornwall. A growing number of Cornwall citizens are determined to see Hutton now likewise removed from his position as chair of Cornwall’s Economic Forum.

“Forcing Hutton’s removal from his post at Hall for Cornwall may seem like a token gesture, but this is exactly how large-scale change begins: one small gesture at a time.”

In May 2024, Lord Hutton – who was Secretary of State for Defence in Gordon Brown’s Labour government – was appointed as chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Economic Forum, in which acts as an “ambassador for Cornwall’s business community”.

During public questions earlier this year, following a protest outside the council offices, Cornwall Council members were asked: “In light of the ongoing genocide enacted in Gaza and the ICC’s (International Criminal Court) recognition of its criminality, will the council demand that Lord Hutton resign his directorship of the Israel-owned military supplier Pearson Engineering as a precondition for his continued leadership of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Economic Forum?”

The then Conservative council leader Cllr Linda Taylor, who retired on the May 1 election day, responded: “I would like to make it clear that Cornwall Council does not endorse or support genocide in Gaza or anywhere else. I would like to remind everyone that UK foreign policy is not within the remit of Cornwall Council.

“I am aware that the previous monitoring officer was in touch with Lord Hutton earlier in the year when this issue was first raised and has received assurances that Pearson Engineering does not and never has provided any military equipment to the Israeli defence forces for use in Gaza or anywhere else.

“Any suggestion that Pearson is involved in any actions that might be considered unlawful either under international public law or under UK law is completely without foundation.”

She added: “Lord Hutton has a clearly defined role in the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Economic Forum and we are grateful that he is able to bring his expertise and qualities to the forum as chair. I have every confidence that he will continue to make a valuable contribution to the forum and what it seeks to achieve.

“The monitoring officer has advised me that Lord Hutton’s personal business interests are a matter for him and the assurance Lord Hutton has provided is welcome. The activities of the economic forum are in no way related to the conflict in Gaza and it is absolutely not accepted having Lord Hutton as the chair means the council is providing tacit social licence for genocide.”

We contacted the House of Lords on Tuesday asking Lord Hutton to respond to our request for a comment.