It could have been a happy departure: at the end of July, the British Museum announced that Director Hartwig Fischer would be leaving his post next year after eight years at the helm of the renowned institution. The press release emphasised Fischer's incredible achievements, most notably laying the foundation for a comprehensive master plan for the necessary reconstruction and redesign of the museum, a project that will take many years to complete.
See also: 1,500 Artefacts Stolen from the British Museum
However, in a press release on Friday, Fischer announced his immediate resignation, acknowledging the mistakes on his part, after details emerged showing that the museum had failed to act on tips back in 2021. “Over the last few days, I have been reviewing in detail the events around the thefts from the British Museum and the investigation into them. It is evident that the British Museum did not respond as comprehensively as it should have in response to the warnings in 2021, and to the problem that has now fully emerged. The responsibility for that failure must ultimately rest with the director," Fisher commented in his resignation letter.
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The trustees of the British Museum have accepted Fischer's letter of resignation and will now find an interim arrangement for the museum until a new director is elected – a process that had been set in motion regardless given Fischer's planned resignation.
George Osborne, Chair of Trustees, commented: “The Board of Trustees has accepted the resignation of Hartwig Fischer as Director. He has acted honourably in confronting the mistakes that have been made. No one has ever doubted Hartwig’s integrity, his dedication to his job, or his love for the Museum."
