British Museum sacks staff after items found missing

The British Museum said on Wednesday that it has sacked a staff member and alerted the police after items were discovered to be missing, stolen or damaged.

They included gold jewellery and gems of semi-precious stones and glass dating from the 15th century BC to the 19th century AD, Anadolu Agency citing a statement from the museum.

The museum is one of Britain’s largest tourist attractions.

"The majority of the items in question were small pieces kept in a storeroom belonging to one of the museum’s collections,” it added.

According to museum officials, the damaged and missing items were for academic purposes and not for public display.

“This is a highly unusual incident,” said the museum’s director Hartwig Fischer.

The museum added that independent legal action led by former trustee Nigel Boardman and Lucy D’Orsi, chief constable of the British Transport Police, is being taken against the staff member who was fired.

- Bernama