The British Museum in London was forced to partially close its doors to the public on Saturday after a former employee gained unauthorized access and disrupted the museum's computer systems.
The British Museum in London was partially closed to the public on Saturday after a fired employee broke in and disrupted computer systems. The museum, one of the world's most popular tourist attractions, shut down its temporary exhibitions and part of its permanent collection following the incident on Thursday. The museum said an IT contractor, Peter Higgs, who was dismissed last week, trespassed into the museum and shut down several systems.
Police were called and Higgs was arrested at the scene. He has since been released on bail. The museum is working to restore full operation but temporary exhibitions will remain closed over the weekend. Ticket holders have been informed and offered refunds. Higgs, who worked in the museum's Greece and Rome department for 30 years, was fired in July 2023. He is currently being sued by the museum, but denies the allegations. This incident comes at a time when the British Museum is already facing criticism for its handling of missing artifacts. In August 2023, the museum admitted that it had failed to address warnings that items, including gold jewelry, semi-precious gems, and ancient artifacts, were being stolen from its collection and sold on eBay. The museum is also under increasing pressure to return artifacts taken from other countries during the British Empire. Notably, Greece has long campaigned for the return of the Parthenon marbles, which were removed from Athens in the early 19th century. The British Museum is legally prohibited from returning the sculptures to Greece, but its leaders have engaged in talks with Greek officials.
BRITISH MUSEUM LONDON EMPLOYEE DISRUPTION SECURITY CLOSURE ARREST THEFT ARTIFACTS
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