The deputy director of the British Museum is leaving the institution amid a heated row over the theft and vandalism of around 2,000 artefacts worth millions.
Dr. Jonathan Williams is stepping down and it is unknown whether his departure is voluntary or whether he was let go without a time frame being specified.
Hundreds of valuable items from the collection were found to be missing, stolen or damaged and police are now investigating.
Dr. Williams led an internal investigation into the thefts after being told by a gem dealer, Dr. Ittai Gradel, had received a tip saying he had seen artifacts on eBay and sent evidence to the museum.
Dr. Gradel claimed he “hadn't heard from the museum for a while” before Dr. Williams finally responded that the investigation found that “there was no evidence of wrongdoing.” The museum has now accepted that something went seriously wrong.
The British Museum previously announced that one million artifacts were unregistered
The deputy director of the British Museum, Dr. Jonathan Williams is leaving his position, the institution announced
In August, a statement from the British Museum said that Dr. Williams agreed to “voluntarily step down from his duties” until an independent investigation into the thefts was completed.
The museum said this would happen “with immediate effect.”
A spokesman said this evening, without giving further details, that “Jonathan Williams will be leaving the museum.”
This comes as the institution is set to release the results of the independent investigation into the dramatic incident this week.
Around 1,500 items – including jewelry, sculpture fragments and pottery – disappeared over a period of nearly 30 years, while another 350 artifacts had parts removed, such as gold settings from gemstones.
It is understood the museum's trustees, including chairman George Osborne, received a copy of the review last week and discussed it at a board meeting.
According to a source, the Sunday Times recommendations are due to be published this week and are “expected to suggest tightening security and improved record keeping”.
The independent review will be led by British Transport Police chief constable Lucy D'Orsi, Sir Nigel Boardman, a former board member of the British Museum, and Ian Karet, a lawyer.