British Museum approves interim director after scandal over theft of 2,000 artefacts

An unnamed employee has been sacked and museum is taking legal action as police investigate

The trustees of the British Museum have put forward a former head of the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) as interim director following a scandal sparked by the theft of 2,000 artefacts.

Sir Mark Jones was announced on Saturday by chair of the institution, George Osborne, who said the art historian’s appointment is subject to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s approval.

Hartwig Fischer resigned as director of the British Museum on August 25 following an estimated 2,000 artefacts going missing from the institution.

He later clarified that he would step down once an interim leadership arrangement was in place.

A police investigation is under way regarding the reported thefts.

Former chancellor Mr Osborne said: “I am pleased to confirm that Sir Mark Jones has received the unanimous approval of the board of trustees to become the interim director of the British Museum.

“Mark is one of the most experienced and respected museum leaders in the world, and he will offer the leadership and grip the Museum needs right now.

“We are both clear that his priorities are to accelerate the cataloguing of the collection, improve security, and reinforce pride in the curatorial mission of the museum.

“This sits alongside the major renovation work we’re undertaking, and the partnerships we’re forging, to ensure that we build a stronger future for the Museum we all love and admire.

Sir Mark is the former director of the Victoria & Albert Museum (Myung Jung Kim/PA) (PA Archive)

“I promised we would learn lessons and then lay the foundations for a strong future. Mark’s appointment is a big step in that direction. I look forward to working together.

“This appointment is still subject to the Prime Minister’s approval, but I want to thank (Culture Secretary) Lucy Frazer and colleagues in both (the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport) DCMS and the Treasury for their support in making this appointment.”

Mr Fischer’s deputy Jonathan Williams stepped back from his position at the same time as his boss announced his resignation.

In his statement, the German art historian admitted the museum “did not respond as comprehensively as it should have in response to warnings in 2021” about the stolen artefacts.

Ittai Gradel, an author, academic and antiquities dealer, had previously alerted the museum to some of the stolen items, and told the PA news agency that claims he had withheld information from the institution were an “outright lie”.

“I was explicit in my communication with the BM (British Museum) that I was entirely at their disposal for any further information or assistance they would require. They never contacted me,” he said.

In his statement, Mr Fischer – who previously announced in July he would step down next year – said he had “misjudged the remarks I made earlier this week about Dr Gradel”.

Some 2,000 treasures were found to have been stolen from the museum (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Wire)

The Metropolitan Police confirmed last month that a man had been interviewed on August 23 under caution with the alleged thefts.

No arrests have been made.

An unnamed member of staff has been sacked and the museum said it is taking legal action.

It is understood that the items – which include gold jewellery, gems of semi-precious stones and glass – were taken before 2023 and over a “significant” period of time.

Sir Mark previously worked at the British Museum as an assistant keeper of coins and medals from 1974 to 1990 before going on to become the keeper for two years.

In 1992, he became director of National Museums Scotland which saw the opening of the National Museum of Scotland and the creation of the National War Museum at Edinburgh Castle.

Sir Mark left that position in 2001 to go on to work as director of the V&A which had a £120 million programme of renewal during his tenure.

He has also been master of St Cross College, Oxford, from 2011 to 2016 and established an independent bookshop in Edinburgh, the Golden Hare, in 2012.

Sir Mark is also chair of the Pilgrim Trust, the National Trust for Scotland, and arts and crafts country house, Hospitalfield.