The future of Henry Moore’s Draped Seated Woman remains uncertain as Tower Hamlets Labour group prepares to request its sale is postponed.

Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman reached the decision to sell the sculpture earlier this month, but Labour now wants the auction pushed back.

It is due to go under the hammer at Christie’s early next year, but Labour counicllors will request at Wednesday evening’s council meeting that it is delayed to allow time to explore options for it to remain in the borough.

Queen Mary University and the Museum of London Docklands have both offered to host the sculpture, but Mayor Rahman seems likely to press ahead with the sale, despite fierce local opposition.

The Conservative group has also tabled a motion requesting that the Mayor reverses his decision and explores the possibility of housing the sculpture in the borough.