This petition is in support of the letter in The Times on Tuesday 10th November.

‘Sir Malcolm Arnold (1921-2006) was one of the most important British composers of classical music in the 20th century. From 1979 to 1986 he was in the care of the Court of Protection, and for the remainder of his life the Court of Protection and the Office of the Public Guardian played a significant role in his protection as a vulnerable person. Over this period the court accumulated a considerable archive of records, papers and personal correspondence. This collection is of great importance to researchers, biographers and musicologists. Until recently it had been the stated intention of the Court of Protection that these records would be preserved. However, it has now stated that it intends to destroy the entire collection as it believes that all possible options for preserving the records have been exhausted. We urge the government to intervene to prevent the destruction of the records relating to this significant British artist and to ensure that they are lodged in the National Archives.

Katherine Arnold, daughter of Sir Malcolm Arnold; Rachel Bond, college librarian, Eton College; William Boyd, novelist; Sally Cavender, Faber Music; Paul Harris, Malcolm Arnold Festival; Sallyann Kleibel; Julian Lloyd Webber; Dame Monica Mason; Michael Meredith, librarian emeritus, Eton College; Tony Meredith, biographer; David Nixon, Northern Ballet; Tony Palmer, film director and composer; Dr Kriss Russman; Mark Skipper, Northern Ballet; Michael White, music critic; Barry Wordsworth’

Dr Jonathan Clinch (Lecturer, Royal Academy of Music), on behalf of Katherine Arnold.