Peter Higgs, 56, was put in charge of the Elgin Marbles despite being implicated

British Museum continues to deal with the fallout over the theft and sale of items

The academic sacked by the British Museum after a spate of thefts was put in charge of the Elgin Marbles - one of the most sensitive collections in the museum's catalogue, a witness has said.

Dr Ittai Gradel, a Danish art dealer, figured out that precious items were being sold on eBay and contacted the museum's directors in 2021 to alert them they had a potential thief among their ranks.

After feeling that his concerns were ignored, Dr Gradel contacted the museum's board of trustees and its chairman George Osborne, who personally took charge of the matter.

An internal investigation led the museum to sack Peter Higgs, 56, a curator of Mediterranean cultures who had worked there for more than 30 years.

Now, it has emerged Dr Higgs - who denies any wrongdoing - was made acting keeper of Greek collections even after the museum was warned that items were turning up for sale on eBay linked to an account in his name, The Telegraph reports.

Dr Gradel has insisted that Hartwig Fischer, the museum's director, and Jonathan Williams, his deputy, should be sacked immediately 'for the sake of this great institution'.

Peter Higgs, 56, the British Museum curator sacked over missing priceless treasures, had worked there for more than 30 years

The 2,500-year-old Elgin Marbles are classed among the wonders of Ancient Greece and have been a source of diplomatic tensions between Britain and Greece in recent years

The sculptures are said to have been ruthlessly seized from the Parthenon in Athens in 1801 by British art collector Lord Elgin

Dr Higgs remained in the role despite despite being named in the correspondence sent to his employer about the thefts.

It also emerged that when the museum carried out an inventory in a storeroom where 942 uncatalogued items were kept, all but seven of them were missing.

The museum continues to deal with the disastrous fallout after it emerged last week that as many as 2,000 precious items were stolen and sold online, or otherwise damaged.

Despina Koutsoumba, head of the Association of Greek Archaeologists, said her colleagues were 'worried' about how many Greek items were missing.

She told the BBC: 'We want to tell the British Museum that they cannot any more say that Greek culture heritage is more protected in the British Museum.

'It is obvious that it is very well protected in Greece and not in the British Museum.'

Greece has been campaigning for decades for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures, otherwise known as the Elgin Marbles, which once adorned the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens.

The country has long claimed they were illegally acquired during a period of foreign occupation, while British officials have rebuffed repeated demands for their return.

Christopher Marinello, a lawyer and expert in recovering stolen art, said the thefts exposed the museum to questions about the safety of the ancient sculptures.

He said: 'It makes one wonder whether the Parthenon Marbles are safe in the British Museum after all, and perhaps they should be returned to the museum in Athens for their security.'

Dr Ittai Gradel, a Danish art dealer, uncovered out that precious items were being sold on eBay and contacted the British Museum's directors in 2021 to alert them of a thief among their ranks, but says his concerns were ignored

The British Museum's director Dr Hartwig Fischer (pictured), who was contacted about the thefts in 2021, said: 'We now have reason to believe that the individual who raised concerns had many more items in his possession, and it's frustrating that that was not revealed to us...'

The British Museum continues to deal with the disastrous fallout after it emerged last week that as many as 2,000 precious items were stolen and sold online, or otherwise damaged

Despina Koutsoumba, head of the Association of Greek Archaeologists, said her colleagues were 'worried' about how many Greek items are missing

Questions have also been raised about the museum's handling of the thefts and how long senior management was aware before action was taken.

The museum has strenuously denied claims of a cover-up after it was reported that managers were warned two years ago that items were being taken from the collection and sold.

The Telegraph reports that whistleblower Dr Gradel contacted the museum's deputy director Dr Jonathan Williams in 2021 with concerns that items were being stolen.

Dr Gradel revealed that from 2014, he purchased around 70 items on eBay from an account he now believes belonged to Dr Higgs or someone using his name. Dr Gradel paid as little as £15 for one item, while another which he bought for several hundred pounds was sold on for thousands.

He has given a list to police and the museum of buyers who bought ten items from him, while the rest have been returned.

In addition, he purchased a further 150 items from a third party which he suspects originated from the museum, although they were not listed in its catalogue.

In January 2021, Dr Higgs was appointed acting keeper of Greek collections and in February Dr Gradel contacted the museum's deputy director Dr Jonathan Williams directly.

He sent him a file which listed items being sold on eBay by a seller with a bank account under the name of Peter Higgs.

Dr Gradel claims that Dr Williams 'basically told me to get lost' and insisted that the 'collection is protected'.

Museum curator Dr Peter Higgs in a 2018 Facebook post wearing an ancient mask

He had worked there for 35 years. His family insist he is innocent

Dr Williams is reported to have dismissed the concerns after a 'thorough investigation' which found 'no evidence of any wrongdoing'.

The museum's director Dr Fischer, who was also contacted, said today: 'When allegations were brought to us in 2021 we took them incredibly seriously, and immediately set up an investigation.

'Concerns were only raised about a small number of items, and our investigation concluded that those items were all accounted for.

'We now have reason to believe that the individual who raised concerns had many more items in his possession, and it's frustrating that that was not revealed to us as it would have aided our investigations.

'In 2022 we embarked on a full audit – which revealed a bigger problem. I reported my concerns to the Trustees, and together we agreed to call in the police. We also then began the disciplinary process that resulted in a member of staff being dismissed.

'I am clear that at every step my priority has been the care of the incredible British Museum collection, and that continues today – with our commitment to learning lessons from the independent review, our determination to help the police with their criminal investigation, and our focus on the recovery programme.'

The furore is likely to place pressure on both of the museum's senior leaders. Dr Fischer is due to step down in 2024 but there are suggestions he may be called upon to go immediately.

Dr Williams, widely seen as a likely successor to Mr Fischer's role, is facing similar pressure.

A plasma gem engraved with a portrait of a young Roman in profile is among the items taken from the British Museum

One of the gems believed to have been stolen from the British Museum, pictured in its broken state

Tim Loughton, chairman of the British Museum All-Party Parliamentary Group, accused Greece of 'blatant opportunism' for claiming the institution is 'not safe' following thefts from the museum.

Mr Loughton told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the news of items going missing from the museum's collection in London was 'damaging' but the institution was taking the thefts 'seriously'.

The MP, who has been in touch with the museum, added: 'For reassurance, people want to know the extent of the objects which have disappeared, what investigations took place at the time when various reports came in and what is being done now because otherwise (it's) getting out of hand.'

The museum has not stated how many items have been stolen or provided their details, saying only that they were 'small pieces' including 'gold jewellery and gems of semi-precious stones and glass dating from the 15th century BC to the 19th century AD'.

The thefts are understood to have taken place over two decades.

Mr Loughton said: 'What is particularly damaging is blatant opportunism of the Greeks and others saying, 'Oh no, the British Museum is not safe'. It's incredibly rare that things go missing.'

Mr Loughton was also asked about emails leaked to BBC News that claim the British Museum was alerted to the thefts in 2021 and ignored the report.

Tim Loughton, chairman of the British Museum All-Party Parliamentary Group, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the news of items going missing from the museum's collection in London was 'damaging' but the institution was taking the thefts 'seriously'

Dr Higgs' family insist he will be cleared following his dismissal from the British Museum

The British Museum, pictured, said last Wednesday that a member of staff had been dismissed after an unknown number of small pieces - including gold, jewellery and gems of semi-precious stones and glass - were found to be 'missing, stolen or damaged'

This Cartier diamond ring, pictured, went missing from the museum's collection six years ago. It remains a mystery what happened to it

Mystery surrounds theft of treasures from the British Museum, and there have been no arrests

He said: 'With respect, all that's come out is a few emails rather than the bigger picture.

'But the British Museum will need to account for that because if people are trying to report potential objects having appeared outside of the museum then absolutely those need to be investigated and potentially referred to the police.

'So what action was taken? What checks and balances are there at the museum?

'Also putting into context... the British Museum has the most online documentation online in the world. There are over two million objects available online to see.'

An independent review of security has been launched and the matter is also under investigation by the economic crime command of the Metropolitan Police.

No arrests have been made.

A review will be led by former museum trustee Sir Nigel Boardman and Lucy D'Orsi, Chief Constable of British Transport Police.