The British Museum director announced his resignation on Friday after admitting to shortcomings in the museum’s inquiry into the theft of objects from its collection.
The museum’s former director, the German art historian Hartwig Fischer, admitted that the “ultimate responsibility” for the institution’s failures “must ultimately” lie with him.
The British Museum “clearly did not respond as comprehensively as it should have,” he said.
The museum, one of London’s most visited, announced last week that an employee had been fired after stolen goods, including gold jewellery and jewels from the 15th century BC to the 19th century AD, were discovered in a storage room.
On Thursday, police said they had interviewed a guy in connection with the stolen items but had not yet filed charges against him.
After a temporary leader was selected, the British Museum revised their announcement to omit the phrase “with immediate effect” and say Fischer will leave at that time.
Fischer has retracted criticism of the art dealer who tipped off museum officials about the missing pieces. He apologised “sincerely” for the “ill-judged” remarks.
Fischer claimed earlier this week that antiquities dealer Ittai Gradel lied to the museum about the value of the stolen pieces.
Former British finance minister George Osborne, who is now chair of the museum’s board of trustees, accepted Fischer’s resignation.
In other words, “we are going to fix what has gone wrong,” Osborne stated. The museum’s purpose transcends individual lifetimes. We shall gain knowledge, regain trust, and prove ourselves worthy of admiration once more.
