- Resignation of British Museum Director
- Response to Alleged Museum Artifacts Robbery
- Investigation and Apology
Hartwig Fischer asserts that the museum did not respond “as thoroughly as it should have” and that the director is ultimately responsible for this failure.
The director of the British Museum has resigned in the wake of alleged robberies of museum artifacts.
Hartwig Fischer called the situation “of the utmost gravity” and regretted that his presence is “proving distracting.”
The museum sacked a top curator after over 2,000 artefacts worth millions of pounds were stolen.
Mr. Fischer, a German art historian, stated that it was “obvious that the British Museum did not respond as thoroughly as it should have” to “warnings in 2021” regarding a problem that has now “fully emerged.”
“The ultimate responsibility for this failure lies with the director,” he said.
It was then stated that museum deputy director Jonathan Williams had “agreed to voluntarily step back from his normal duties.”
This will be the case “until the conclusion of the independent investigation into the thefts at the museum,” the museum said.
This week, it came to light that the Metropolitan Police had interviewed a man in connection with the alleged burglaries.
Dr. Ittai Gradel, an expert on Roman antiquities who voiced concerns and attempted to warn the museum, stated that Mr. Fischer had “done the right thing, the honorable thing, and deserves credit for that at least.”
But it has been a challenging time, he added.
Dr. Gradel stated, “It has been extremely difficult, particularly those two wasted years when I banged my head against the British Museum’s wall and couldn’t get anyone to listen, even though the evidence I had gathered was indisputable.”
He added, “There was no plausible innocent explanation for the evidence I sent them, yet it was ignored, and I never understood why.
“I still do not comprehend how this was conceivable or how they could behave in such a manner. It has been extremely aggravating.”
Mr. Fischer stated in his resignation letter that he “misjudged” certain remarks he made about Dr. Gradel.
He stated, “I wish to express my sincere regret and withdraw those remarks.”
Mr. Fischer previously stated that a “person who raised concerns” possessed “many more items.”
He added, “It is disappointing that we were not informed of this, as it would have helped our investigations.”
Mr. Fischer “has now retracted those remarks and apologised to me, which I accept.” Dr. Gradel considered obtaining legal assistance.
Former chancellor George Osborne, who chairs the museum’s board of trustees, stated, “No one has ever questioned Hartwig’s honesty, commitment to his job, or affection for the museum.”
He added, “Let me be clear: we will correct what has gone awry. The museum’s mission spans multiple generations. We will gain knowledge, restore confidence, and merit admiration once more.”
