ENO accuses Arts Council of ‘howling mistake’ over plan to slash funding

English National Opera's production of Giacomo Puccini's Tosca at the London Coliseum. Photograph: Robbie Jack/Corbis/Getty Images

In its latest salvo in a growing row over the future of opera, the English National Opera has accused Arts Council England of making a “howling mistake” over its decision to slash the company’s funding to zero.

Stuart Murphy, ENO’s chief executive, said the body had deployed “baffling narratives” since its edict that ENO must move outside London in order to be eligible for grants in the future.