Approximately 2,000 artifacts believed to have been stolen from the British Museum are gradually being recovered, according to Chairman George Osborne. Acknowledging the museum's tarnished reputation, the former chancellor stated, "We're committed to resolving the situation."

He admitted that more could have been done when theft concerns were first raised in February 2021. A museum staff member suspected of involvement has been dismissed.

Additionally, the museum's director, Hartwig Fischer, will step down following acknowledgment that the 2021 investigation was mishandled.

Osborne, appointed chair in June 2021, noted that some stolen items have already been retrieved and that cooperation from certain members of the antiquarian community is underway.

The museum, renowned as one of the UK's leading cultural institutions, faces pressure since disclosing that various treasures were reported missing, stolen, or damaged earlier this month.

The stolen items, dating from the 15th Century BC to the 19th Century AD, were primarily held for academic and research purposes. Osborne expressed confidence that honest individuals would return stolen items but recognized that others might not.

The British Museum, established in 1753, boasts around eight million items in its collection, with only about 80,000 on public display as of 2019; the rest are kept in storage.

Osborne highlighted that not all items are adequately cataloged and registered, suggesting that those with knowledge of unregistered items have an advantage in removing them.

Collaborating with the police, the museum is engaged in a forensic effort to ascertain the extent of the missing items. Improved security measures are also being considered.

"It has certainly been damaging to the British Museum's reputation, that is a statement of the obvious, and that is why I'm apologizing on its behalf," Mr Osborne added.

A man has been interviewed by Metropolitan Police detectives over the missing items but no arrests have been made.

Senior figures at the museum have scrambled to address how they handled the discovery of missing items after it emerged concerns about potential thefts were first raised two years ago.

Asked why concerns raised in 2021 were not taken seriously, Mr. Osborne said he did not believe there was a "cover-up" at the top of the museum, but said it was "possible" that "groupthink" among senior staff meant they "could not believe that there was an insider" stealing treasures.

Mr Fischer, who has held the position of director since 2016, confirmed on Friday that he would leave his role once an interim replacement had been appointed.

He was previously due to step down in 2024.

In a statement, he said: "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."

He also apologized for "misjudged" remarks alleging the antique dealer who first raised concerns in 2021 had withheld information about the missing items.

Deputy director Jonathan Williams - who was involved with the 2021 investigation - will step back from his normal duties temporarily until an independent review launched by the museum concludes.

The missing-treasures scandal has prompted questions about the British Museum's wider role as an institution housing objects from around the world.

Greek archaeologist Despoina Koutsoumba told the BBC this week the Parthenon sculptures are "not safe" in London. The Greek government has long called for the artifacts, often called the Elgin Marbles, to be returned to Greece.

Tim Loughton MP, the Conservative chairman of the all-party parliamentary group for the museums, has rejected claims it is no longer a trusted custodian of its vast collection.

He said calls for artifacts to be returned to their countries of origin were "opportunistic", telling BBC News culture and media editor Katie Razzall that other countries should be "rallying around to help retrieve objects instead of trying to take advantage".

Mr Osborne said the British Museum plays a vital role in bringing together important collections from around the world, adding: "In an age that we are always reminded what divides us, it is a place that reminds us of what we have in common."

Congratulation to British Museum.

Nice