Senior members of the Royal Academy of Arts have reportedly complained about being misled by organisers over ‘items of a pornographic nature’, due to go on show from 6 October as part of a new exhibition owned by Charles Saatchi.

According to The Sunday Times newspaper, the academicians were not told that there would be a number of items of an explicit sexual nature on display as part of the USA Today show.

Some members of the academy have asked for a separate room to be set aside for the adult-orientated works, which include a girl performing a sex act on a man and a woman defecating.

In response, a spokesperson from the Academy said: “The Exhibition Committee recommended to the Council of the Royal Academy of Arts, the exhibition, USA Today. The president and the council gave their approval.

“The Royal Academy has always had an international remit and a responsibility to show contemporary art. Recently-made art works from the USA, as presented in this exhibition, are consistent with this.” Details: www.royalacademy.org.uk