British Museum Partially Closed After Fired IT Contractor Disrupts Systems

The museum shut down several exhibits following an alleged IT sabotage, with the suspect arrested on-site and released on bail.

A dismissed IT contractor allegedly trespassed into the British Museum and caused significant disruption to its IT systems on Thursday evening.
Temporary exhibitions and parts of the permanent collection remain closed, impacting visitor access and prompting ticket refunds.
The Metropolitan Police arrested a man in his 50s at the scene on suspicion of burglary and criminal damage; he has been released on bail as investigations continue.
The incident adds to recent challenges for the museum, including the 2023 theft of over 1,800 artifacts and ongoing scrutiny over its handling of stolen items.
The museum continues to face international pressure to return culturally significant artifacts, such as the Parthenon Marbles, which remain a contentious issue with Greece.