British Museum director Hartwig Fischer quits over stolen treasures

The director of the British Museum mentioned on Friday he would step down after admitting to failings in its investigation into the theft of things from its assortment.

Hartwig Fischer, a German artwork historian who had led the museum since 2016, mentioned there may have been a greater response to warnings that an worker might have been stealing objects and the failings “must ultimately” relaxation with him.

“It is evident that the British Museum did not respond as comprehensively as it should have,” he mentioned in a press release.

The museum, one among London’s hottest vacationer sights, mentioned final week a member of workers had been dismissed after objects together with gold jewelry and gems relationship from the fifteenth century BC to the nineteenth century AD, had been discovered stolen from a storeroom.

Police mentioned on Thursday mentioned that they had interviewed however not charged an unnamed man over the stolen artefacts.

The British Museum initially mentioned within the assertion that Fischer would step down “with immediate effect”, however later eliminated these phrases and mentioned he can be resign as soon as an interim chief had been discovered.

Fischer mentioned that he withdrew remarks made in regards to the artwork supplier who first alerted museum bosses to the stolen objects. He expressed “sincere regret” over the “misjudged” feedback.

Earlier this week, Fischer mentioned Ittai Gradel, an antiquities supplier, withheld details about the size of the stolen objects when he contacted the museum.

The museum’s board of trustees, chaired by former British finance minister George Osborne, accepted Fischer’s resignation.

“We are going to fix what has gone wrong,” Osborne mentioned. “The museum has a mission that lasts across generations. We will learn, restore confidence and deserve to be admired once again.”

Published On:

Aug 27, 2023