British Museum worker sacked over missing treasures

A member of staff at the British Museum in London has been sacked after treasures were reported: “missing, stolen, or damaged.”

A police investigation has begun.

Items including gold, jewellery and gems of semi-precious stones were among those missing from the museum, one of the UK’s largest tourist attractions.

Most of the items were being kept in a storeroom, the museum said. 

British Museum director Hartwig Fischer said the museum would “throw our efforts into the recovery of objects”.

He added: “This is a highly unusual incident. I know I speak for all colleagues when I say that we take the safeguarding of all the items in our care extremely seriously.

“We have already tightened our security arrangements and we are working alongside outside experts to complete a definitive account of what is missing, damaged and stolen.”

He staff member has been fired and legal action will be taken against him.