Tate Defends "Art Ransom"

The Tate has denied claims by a BBC programme that it paid a multi-million pound ransom to recover two stolen Turner paintings. Undercover Art Deal - to be screened on Wednesday - claims payments of around £3m were made to secure the return of the art - stolen in 1994. A Tate spokeswoman insisted the money was paid for information and that "no ransom was paid". A BBC spokesman said the corporation stood by the forthcoming art programme. He added that the documentary had been through "the usual rigorous editorial procedures". Following the theft, the Tate made a claim and the insurers settled for the full insured sum of £24million for the art. For the full story - click the title Irish Art