Shock resignation of the director of British Museum could have been prompted by the loss of valuable items including jewellery and gems from the world-famous institution
- Hartwig Fischer announced last month he would be leaving in 2024
The recent decision of the British Museum director to resign was prompted by the loss of priceless antiquities, staff have claimed.
Hartwig Fischer, who has been in the role for seven years, announced last month he would be leaving in 2024.
There is reportedly a growing belief among staff that his decision was a result of the disappearance of valuable items from the museum, including jewellery, gems and precious metals spanning more than 3,000 years.
Treasures worth up to £50,000 were advertised on eBay for just £40, it was reported this week. Peter Higgs, 56, a curator of Greek collections, was sacked in July after an internal investigation into the missing items.
Mr Fischer announced his departure later the same month.
The British Museum worker, Peter John Higgs (pictured), was sacked in July over missing priceless treasures
The recent decision of the British Museum director to resign was prompted by the loss of priceless antiquities, staff have claimed. Pictured: The Great Court of The British Museum
According to The Telegraph, an independent investigation into the thefts has been given correspondence from February 2021 which shows Jonathan Williams – Mr Fischer’s deputy – being alerted over the missing objects.
One senior source at the museum said that staff were shocked Mr Higgs was being held responsible, saying that trustees ‘needed someone to blame’.
Another source from the art world said: ‘[Mr Fischer] was sent on his way with flying colours.
‘This is how it is done in the establishment. But for the sake of the museum he should go now. The museum deserves better management than it has at present.’
Other sources have disputed the theory that the director decided to leave due to the missing artefacts.
Experts have meanwhile warned that the debacle has strengthened Greece’s argument for the return of the Elgin Marbles to Athens.
Greek culture minister Lina Mendoni said: ‘It is very sad and very serious the incident that the British Museum announced recently.
‘The ministry is closely monitoring the developments.’
Mr Higgs had worked there for 35 years until earlier this year
Born and raised in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, he studied archaeology at the University of Liverpool before joining the British Museum. Higgs’ family insist he will be cleared
The 2,500-year-old Parthenon Marbles were taken from Athens by Lord Elgin more than 200 years ago then sold to the UK Government in 1816.
They have been housed in the British Museum ever since, despite repeated calls for their return by the Greek government and campaigners.
Rishi Sunak has followed his predecessors by vowing to keep the marbles in Britain, claiming they remain a ‘huge asset’ to the UK.
Among the arguments put forward in declassified government papers was that the marbles are safer in Britain than they would be in Athens, though the British Museum has distanced itself from this position.
Art expert Christopher Marinello said that following this week’s revelations about missing artefacts, this ‘patronising argument’ was now ‘dead in the water’.
‘We should now focus on the more important issues as to why the marbles should be returned,’ he said.
A British Museum spokesman said: ‘We have conducted a thorough investigation, identified the person we believe to be responsible, and that person has been dismissed.
‘We are also taking further robust action to ensure this can never happen again.’
British Museum (pictured) on Wednesday said it had dismissed a member of staff after items from its collection were found to be ‘missing, stolen or damaged’
The museum also said it was wrong to suggest there was any link between Mr Fischer’s resignation and the thefts, and ‘categorically’ rejected any allegation of a cover-up.
Mr Higgs’s son, Greg, insisted his father was innocent.
The 21-year-old said: ‘He’s lost his job and his reputation and I don’t think it was fair.’
No arrests have been made and it is understood no interviews under caution have taken place.
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