Director of British Museum steps down amid controversy over thefts of ancient items
Hartwig Fischer had planned to leave the post next year but said his presence had become a distraction after questions were raised recently about whether the museum took warnings seriously
The British Museum said a member of staff has been dismissed after items were found to be missing, stolen or damaged. (Source: AP) The director of the British Museum said Friday that he would step down immediately amid investigations into the theft or disappearance of hundreds of items from its massive collection, including gold jewellery, semi-precious gems and antiquities dating to the15th century B.C.
Hartwig Fischer had planned to leave the post next year but said his presence had become a distraction after questions were raised recently about whether the museum took warnings seriously. Two years ago, an art dealer contacted museum officials to report that he suspected items from the collection were being peddled online.
“It is evident that the British Museum did not respond as comprehensively as it should have in response to the warnings in 2021, and to the problem that has now fully emerged,” Fischer said in a statement. “The responsibility for that failure must ultimately rest with the director.” London’s Metropolitan Police are now investigating the thefts. The museum previously announced it had fired a staff member and ordered an independent review of security, as well as a ‘vigorous programme to recover the missing items.’ Stolen artifacts include gold jewelry, semi-precious gemstones and glass dating from the 15th century B.C. to the 19th century A.D. Most were small items kept in a storeroom and none had been on display recently, the museum said.
The director of the British Museum says on Friday, Aug, 25, 2023 he’s stepping down amid investigations into the theft or disappearance of hundreds of items from its massive collection (Source: AP)
Share
