Resignation at British Museum amidst Massive Art Theft Allegations

The British Museum was hit by an alleged art theft scandal over two years ago when an observant art historian noticed questionable objects listed for auction on eBay.

The Museum's director, Hartwig Fischer, failed to accord ample importance to these warnings, eventually announcing his resignation as authorities attempt to investigate the missing artifacts, some as old as 3500 years.

Alongside gold jewelry and semi-precious gemstones, hundreds of antiquities dating back to the 15th century B.C. were believed to be lost.

In his resignation announcement, Fischer acknowledged the Museum's inadequate response to the 2021 warnings and accepted personal responsibility for this lapse.

The majority of these artifacts were stored away from public view, with recent exhibitions not featuring them.

In light of the investigation, the museum terminated a staff member, pledging to take legal action.

The esteemed institution has sought the assistance of London’s Metropolitan Police and initiated an independent security review, hinting towards a comprehensive program designed to retrieve the lost items.

Despite its history-studded veneration, the British Museum has frequently faced scrutiny for refuting global requests to return historically significant items, acquired during the British Empire, to their original communities.

Notably, such pleas include the Parthenon marbles from Greece and the Benin bronzes from West Africa.

Fischer's resignation was accompanied by an apology to the whistleblower, a British-Danish art historian named Ittai Gradel.

Tracing an item he purchased online, Gradel was able to link two items he did not buy all the way back to the museum, sparking the investigation.

Most shockingly, Gradel identified the unlawful seller through PayPal, found to be the now-dismissed museum staff member.

Further discovery of similar questionable purchases suggested association with the illicit activities.

As the dust settles on Fischer's resignation, eyes turn towards Deputy Director Jonathan Williams, who, despite assuring Gradel of a thorough investigation, now faces resignation demands.

Williams will now temporarily step back from his duties as an independent review is underway.

Fischer, set to leave as his temporary replacement is assigned, has expressed regret over criticizing Gradel's procurement of many artifacts.

With a vow to learn from the incident, restore public confidence, and fix all inadvertent errors, George Osborne, chair of the museum trustees, bore the news of Fischer's resignation.

Promises have been made of pending legal action against the dismissed staff member, as the museum seeks to bone up its reputation and pursue the path to amends.