The British Museum will appoint as its interim director a former boss of the Victoria & Albert Museum who has advocated sharing the Elgin Marbles with Greece.
Sir Mark Jones will replace Hartwig Fischer, who quit after thousands of objects were found to be stolen from the museum’s collection.
George Osborne, the museum’s chairman, said that Jones, 72, had “received the unanimous approval” of trustees, though his appointment must still be rubber-stamped by the prime minister. The former chancellor hailed Jones as “one of the most experienced and respected museum leaders in the world” who will “offer the leadership and grip needed right now”.
The British Museum was plunged into the worst crisis of its 270-year history last month when it admitted that it had
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