A sign for the British Museum which houses the Parthenon sculptures is seen in London, Britain, January 25, 2023.
REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Aug 16 (Reuters) - The British Museum said on Wednesday a member of staff had been dismissed after items from its collection, including gold jewellery and gems, had been found to be missing, stolen or damaged.
None of the items had recently been on public display and were kept primarily for academic and research purposes, it added.
I know I speak for all colleagues when I say that we take the safeguarding of all the items in our care extremely seriously," said Hartwig Fischer, Director of the British Museum.
The museum's chair, former finance minister George Osborne, Chair of the British Museum, said the trustees were extremely concerned when they had learnt of the theft "earlier this year".
Persons:
Toby Melville, Hartwig Fischer, George Osborne, Kylie MacLellan, Barbara Lewis
Organizations:
British, REUTERS, Metropolitan Police, British Museum, Thomson
Locations:
London, Britain