The British Museum was evacuated on Saturday afternoon following the receipt of "malicious communications" and the discovery of a "suspicious device" in a toilet. Metropolitan Police officers responded to the central London site and, after a thorough investigation, declared the package non-suspicious, allowing visitors to be readmitted at around 4 pm.
Security Incident Details
The incident occurred just days after the museum postponed a lecture on ancient Israel, which was part of Jewish Culture Month. The decision to postpone the lecture was made due to concerns that attendees planned to disrupt the event. The museum stated that the postponement was necessary to ensure the event could proceed safely and without intimidation, following consultations with organisers and security partners.
Reactions to the Postponement
The postponement drew criticism from several public figures, including historian Simon Schama, who expressed disappointment. The Board of Deputies of British Jews also called the decision "highly regrettable" and confirmed that they are working with the museum to reschedule the event at the earliest opportunity.
Visitors were evacuated from the premises as a precautionary measure while police conducted their investigation. The museum confirmed that all visitors were safely evacuated and that the situation was resolved without any injuries or further security threats.
