shot-button
Maharashtra Elections 2024 Maharashtra Elections 2024
Home > News > World News > Article > British Museum director resigns over artifact theft row

British Museum director resigns over artifact theft row

Updated on: 27 August,2023 08:04 AM IST  |  London
Agencies |

On Saturday, chair of the museum's board of trustees George Osborne told a news channel that “we have already started to recover some of the stolen items”

British Museum director resigns over artifact theft row

British Museum officials launched an investigation into the thefts after gold jewellery, semi-precious stones were sold on eBay. Pic/Getty Images

The director of the British Museum, one of London’s premier tourist attractions with thousands of precious artefacts on display including from India, has resigned from his post even as it emerged on Saturday that some of the 2,000 stolen artefacts have been recovered.


Hartwig Fischer issued his resignation announcement on Friday to say that it is now evident that the museum did not respond “comprehensively” to warnings around the feared thefts and that the responsibility ultimately rests with him. On Saturday, chair of the museum's board of trustees George Osborne told a news channel that “we have already started to recover some of the stolen items”. 


“We believe we have been the victim of thefts over a long period of time and frankly more could have been done to prevent them,” said Osborne. Meanwhile, Fischer’s resignation came over a week after a member of staff from the museum was sacked pending legal action after several treasures from a storeroom at the museum were found to have been stolen. 


Also read: Navi Mumbai: Wrong indicator exposes job racket in Railways

“Over the last few days I have been reviewing in detail the events around the thefts from the British Museum and the investigation into them,” said Fischer.“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. The responsibility for that failure must ultimately rest with the director,” said the outgoing director, a German art historian. 

2,000
No of artifacts recovered from the eBay sale until now

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

Register for FREE
to continue reading !

This is not a paywall.
However, your registration helps us understand your preferences better and enables us to provide insightful and credible journalism for all our readers.

Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK