The head of the Natural History Museum was interrupted on Sky News this morning as Chinese security guards moved him on in the middle of an interview.
Director of the Kensington-based museum Dr Doug Gurr temporarily switched off his camera and said he had been ‘encouraged to move on’ while speaking live on the channel earlier today.
Dr Gurr, who is a former head of Amazon UK and Amazon China, is visiting Beijing as part of a 60-strong delegation of business and cultural leaders.
The group is in China alongside the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who met with President Xi Jinping as part of a trip to the capital city and Shanghai.
The PM held two hours of talks with the autocratic president in the early hours, insisting he wants a more ‘sophisticated’ relationship.
Also on the trip was the delegation of business, cultural and sporting leaders, including representatives from Barclays, AstraZeneca, British Airways, Visit Britain and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Speaking following Sir Keir’s meeting with the Chinese President, Dr Gurr told Sky News the trip is going ‘really well’.
‘All of us in both the culture and business delegation, frankly we’ve been thrilled. It’s going very well so far,’ he said.
Director of the Natural History Museum Dr Doug Gurr was speaking on Sky News today when he was approached by a Chinese security guard (left)
The former head of Amazon UK briefly turned his camera off before resuming the interview, saying he had been ‘encouraged to move on’
Addressing the historically complicated relationship between the two nations, he said the UK must ‘understand’ and ‘engage’.
He added: ‘We’ve had cultural and scientific links to China for a long time and they’ve carried on.
‘But I think there is no doubt that we’ve had a period where… we’ve perhaps been a bit more distant. I don’t think that does us any favours.’
Shortly afterwards a security guard, dressed in a smart suit, could be seen approaching Dr Gurr from behind.
He then appeared to speak to the museum director off camera, with Dr Gurr turning his head towards him before switching off his camera.
There was a brief period of confusion before the ex-Amazon boss switched his camera back on in a different location, and could be heard on the broadcast explaining he had been ‘encouraged to move on’.
The interview then concluded as expected.
Before the trip, Dr Gurr said: ‘For over 15 years, the Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition has toured to multiple locations in China.
The security guard spoke to Dr Gurr off screen before he moved to a different area of the building
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of a bilateral meeting during his visit to China
‘During 2025, our scientists co-authored over a hundred papers with Chinese collaborators, as well as facilitating collection and research visits.
‘The museum is also excited to be expanding its commercial activities in the Chinese market from brand licensing to publishing projects.
‘I look forward to building on our existing ties with museum partners in China and to developing new opportunities for collaboration in research, collections, and knowledge exchange.’
Earlier Sir Keir gifted Xi – a Manchester United fan – the match ball from their recent victory over his own team Arsenal during a meeting between the two leaders.
After the discussions, Sir Keir said Xi was someone he could do business with, although he stressed he had also raised human rights issues.
Xi talked up the advantages of his tightly-controlled country, contrasting that stability with the the volatile behaviour of the US Donald Trump.
He noted that ‘Labour governments’ have made ‘important contributions to the growth of China-UK relations’ – complaining that there had been ‘twists and turns’ in the ties.
In an apparent peace offering, Brits are expected to be granted visa-free travel to China for tourist or business trips up to 30 days – something 50 other countries including France already have.
The prime minister is visiting China with a delegation of almost 60 representatives of British businesses and cultural institutions as he continues his efforts to build bridges with Beijing
The PM and his business delegation will sign a series of deals this morning, as he seeks to neutralise accusations of ‘kowtowing’ to a state that is engaged in industrial scale espionage.
MPs have been sanctioned by China for criticising the regime, including over curbs on civil liberties in Hong Kong.
Trade Secretary Peter Kyle is with the PM, but Chancellor Rachel Reeves is notably absent despite widespread expectation should would go. City minister Lucy Rigby has been sent instead.
President Xi said during the meeting: ‘China stands ready to develop with the UK a long-term and consistent strategic partnership. It will benefit our two peoples.’
He also told Sir Keir they would ‘stand the test of history’ if they could ‘rise above differences’.
He said: ‘Your visit this time has drawn a lot of attention.
‘Sometimes good things take time. As long as it is the right thing that serves the fundamental interests of the country and the people, then as leaders we should not shy away from difficulties and we should press ahead with fortitude.’
A Downing Street spokesman said afterwards: ‘The Prime Minister met the Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing today.
‘The Prime Minister thanked the President for a warm welcome to China, and both leaders affirmed their shared commitment to building a consistent, long-term, and strategic partnership that will benefit both countries.
‘They agreed they would continue to enhance co-operation on areas of mutual interest, while maintaining frank and open dialogue on areas of disagreement. The Prime Minister raised areas of concern to the United Kingdom.
‘Accompanied by a delegation of nearly 60 of Britain’s biggest businesses and cultural organisations on his visit, the Prime Minister added that he hoped new partnerships could be forged and new opportunities unlocked for them in China.
‘Growth and prosperity at home is directly linked to our engagement with the world’s biggest powers abroad, the Prime Minister added.
‘The Prime Minister said he looked forward to the rest of his visit.’