Former director of British Museum ordered to return ‘stolen items’

A former director of the British Museum suspected of stealing and damaging artefacts has been ordered by the High Court to return any artefacts he may have.

The agency launched legal proceedings against Dr Peter Higgs, who was sacked for gross misconduct last July after more than 1,800 items were found missing, stolen or damaged.

Lawyers representing the trustees of the Museum of London said there was “compelling evidence” that Dr Higgs had “abused his position of trust” between at least July 2009 and January 2018, which he denies.

Judge Heather Williams made the order at London’s High Court on Tuesday saying Dr Higgs must list or return any stolen items within four weeks.

Barrister Daniel Burgess claimed that Dr Higgs, who is under investigation by the Metropolitan Police but has not been charged with a crime, had stolen gems, jewellery, gold, silver and other items and removed them by removing them to “intentionally” damage cultural relics.

The court heard hundreds of the items, now believed to have been stolen or damaged, were listed for sale on eBay, with payments using PayPal.

Most of it was kept in storage.

“These actions amounted to a conversion or trespass, a breach of his contract of employment and a breach of fiduciary duty,” Mr Burgess wrote in his written argument.

Lawyers said Dr. Higgs intended to dispute that claim.

He told the court the defendants had access to the objects and attempted to “cover their tracks” by using false names, creating false documents, manipulating museum records and selling artifacts at “low prices”.

Dr Higgs is also accused of impeding the agency’s investigation into the theft by advising a colleague to delete their text messages and emails and refusing to pass on the information, the court heard.

Mr Burgess said in written arguments: “The items stolen from the museum are of cultural and historical significance.

“There is a strong public interest in their recovery. If these objects are lost, the museum (and the public interest) will suffer irreparable damage, including because delays in finding them mean they will not be recovered.”

The court heard that 356 stolen items had been returned to the museum so far.

Mrs Justice Williams also ordered the disclosure of eBay and Paypal records belonging to Dr Higgs, which may contain evidence of ongoing sales.

She said there was “strong evidence” that the museum’s accusations may be correct.

The Met will also provide an independent computer expert with temporary access to equipment seized during a search of Dr Higgs’ home on 16 August 2023.

The court heard Dr Higgs, who worked in the Greek and Roman departments for more than 30 years before being sacked, did not attend the hearing due to ill health.

The police investigation is ongoing.