2012 culture fear as arts chief is ousted

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The move means the "Cultural Olympiad" will be without a head of culture at its launch next month.

Keith Khan began as the culture boss at Olympics organiser Locog last summer. He had previously spearheaded the spectacular opening ceremonies at the Millennium Dome and the Manchester Commonwealth Games.

But he has now been sidelined as an "artistic executive" and his contract runs out in December.

Many in the arts fear that if Mr Khan leaves, the programme will be in the hands of managers with no guiding artist, risking producing a cultural mishmash by committee.

There are concerns that Locog is backtracking on its commitment to the arts - even though the cultural offer was a clinching factor in London winning the bid.

One source close to the process said: "The big problem is that Locog doesn't given a damn about the Cultural Olympiad.

"The Department for Culture, Media and Sport puts a lot of effort into reminding Locog that the Olympiad was a big part of the bid and they [at Locog] can barely stop yawning." Bill Morris, the organisers' director of culture, ceremonies and education, has ultimate responsibility for the Cultural Olympiad. But he is also charged with organising the opening and closing ceremonies, torch relay, education programme and live screens. He was previously the BBC's expert in big outside broadcasts.

A source said: "Bill is very very busy and his background is in outside broadcasting. If you look at things like the Commonwealth Games or the Golden Jubilee celebrations in the Mall, they were a success because they had logistical geniuses and artists working together.

"And what you haven't got [at Locog without Khan] is a practising artist for the Olympiad."

A Locog spokeswoman said Mr Khan was still very much involved in working with young people, in plans for carnival and with diversity issues.

A Department for Culture spokesman said Mr Khan had moved jobs "at a point when Locog reached a significant milestone in establishing the Cultural Olympiad's vision".