Heseltine's wife given post as V&A trustee

Anne Heseltine, wife of the deputy Prime Minister, Michael Heseltine, was last night appointed by John Major as a trustee of the Victoria and Albert Museum for the next five years. The role is not remunerated.

Mrs Heseltine is currently a trustee of the Imperial War Museum, but Downing Street said she would stand down when her present work there was completed. The new appointment, with a general election so close, may raise a few eyebrows, but Mrs Heseltine has a long-term interest in the V & A, which houses collections of fine art, craft and design. She has been a visitor of the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford since 1989 and is also a member of the Tate Gallery British art consultative committee.

Professor Christopher Frayling, rector of the Royal College of Art, becomes an ex-officio member of the V and A board of trustees and like Mrs Heseltine, Professor Christopher White, director of the Ashmolean, also joins.