Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouli: Egypt is targeted in plans to redraw regional map
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: Our presence in IAEA General Council and fact-checking helped in preventing unilateral rhetoric that aims to portray Iran as an unregulated country
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: We witnessed new, stricter stances from European countries since signing new agreement with IAEA
Saree: Our UAV force targeted the so-called Ramon Airport in the Umm al-Rashrash area in southern occupied Palestine
YAF spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree: Our rocket force carried out an operation with a Palestine 2 hypersonic ballistic missile targeting a sensitive target in the occupied Yafa area
Trump administration clears first Ukraine arms aid package paid for by allies: Reuters, citing sources
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman receives Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani at his office in Al-Yamamah Palace
Wakim: Surrender is not in our dictionary, and it is not true that "Israel" can implement its project in Lebanon and the region
Wakim: The US is preventing the armament of the Lebanese army. The question is, why are the weapons it is handed over by the Resistance being destroyed?
Wakim: The Resistance is required to hand over its weapons to the [current] authority. The question is: Is this authority independent or subservient to America?

British Museum director resigns over suspected thefts

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News Websites
  • 26 Aug 2023 10:35
2 Min Read

Hartwig Fischer has taken responsibility for the museum's inadequate response to theft warnings involving numerous objects in 2021.

  • x
  • Director of the British Museum Hartwig Fischer speaking at a news conference (AFP)
    Director of the British Museum Hartwig Fischer speaking at a news conference (AFP)

The British Museum's Director has resigned, and the deputy director has temporarily stepped away from their position due to mishandling suspicions of widespread artifact theft. This situation has raised international concerns about systemic failures and caused embarrassment.

Hartwig Fischer took responsibility for the Museum's inadequate response to theft warnings involving numerous objects in 2021, resulting in a police inquiry due to missing, stolen, or damaged items from the collection.

Fischer acknowledged the Museum's failure to handle the warnings and the ensuing issues in his resignation statement, which was accepted by the Museum's trustees. Jonathan Williams, the deputy director, voluntarily stepped back from responsibilities pending an independent review of the theft suspicions.

Initially, Fischer defended the Museum's response to a tip-off about stolen artifacts but later admitted that a comprehensive audit in 2022 revealed a larger problem. He retracted his earlier statements and expressed regret.

The incident sparked discussions concerning artifact safety, particularly the Parthenon marbles, reigniting debates about their repatriation. Despina Koutsoumba, the director of the Association of Greek Archaeologists, stated that the British Museum's claim of safety for the marble can no longer hold. This situation has dealt a blow to the Museum's reputation and credibility.

Fischer, a German art historian, had previously announced his intent to step down from his position after serving for eight years. He described his resignation as an attempt to prevent distraction and acknowledged his privilege in leading the museum.

Read next: Stolen artwork from British Museum worth thousands sold on Ebay

  • Hartwig Fischer
  • British Museum
  • theft
  • artefacts
  • British Museum's director

Most Read

Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

American far-right activist Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

  • Palestine
  • 14 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
'Israel’s' Qatar strike backfires, fueling diplomatic fallout
Politics

'Israel’s' Qatar strike backfires, fueling diplomatic fallout

'Israel' committing genocide in Gaza, UN Commission declares
Politics

'Israel' committing genocide in Gaza, UN Commission declares

Rubio supports Gaza offensive, warns few days left for diplomacy
Palestine

Rubio supports Gaza occupation, warns of tight window for deal

US adds Colombia to drug list, drawing Petro’s rebuke
Politics

US adds Colombia to drug list, drawing Petro’s rebuke

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS