Paul Evans, the master chief executive of the Royal Armouries Museum, has been suspended on full pay pending an investigation into "potential irregularities" at the museum.
The museum's chairwoman, Ann Green, issued a statement that said: "Following internal system checks picking up potential irregularities, the board of trustees of the Royal Armouries confirms that a senior member of staff has been excluded from work to allow a thorough examination.
"As part of this process, and as a standard measure, a full internal investigation is under way in accordance with the Royal Armouries' established procedures."
Evans is still receiving his £91,000 salary, but cannot use his office at the museum's headquarters in Leeds. A museum spokeswoman said the police were not involved in the investigation. As Museums Journal went to press, the museum was undergoing an audit by the National Audit Office (NAO).
An NAO spokesman said: "We were made aware on 9 May of an internal investigation process that has been undertaken by the Royal Armouries' trustees and the suspension on full pay of the chief executive.
"Our audit of the 2007-08 financial statements commenced this week and we will work closely with the Armouries' internal auditors to consider the impact of their investigations on our audit opinion. After we have concluded our audit work, we will consider the need for any additional reporting."
The Royal Armouries is a national museum, funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
A DCMS spokesman said: "We are aware of the situation and are awaiting the outcome of the investigation. It is an internal matter for the museum. If there are issues they want to draw to our attention, then we will take the appropriate action."
Alan Leighton, national secretary of trade union Prospect, said: "I know nothing about this case, but in general, you should not draw the conclusion that suspension means that a person is guilty."
Evans was appointed master chief executive in July 2003, after two years as chief operating officer.
The museum's chairwoman, Ann Green, issued a statement that said: "Following internal system checks picking up potential irregularities, the board of trustees of the Royal Armouries confirms that a senior member of staff has been excluded from work to allow a thorough examination.
"As part of this process, and as a standard measure, a full internal investigation is under way in accordance with the Royal Armouries' established procedures."
Evans is still receiving his £91,000 salary, but cannot use his office at the museum's headquarters in Leeds. A museum spokeswoman said the police were not involved in the investigation. As Museums Journal went to press, the museum was undergoing an audit by the National Audit Office (NAO).
An NAO spokesman said: "We were made aware on 9 May of an internal investigation process that has been undertaken by the Royal Armouries' trustees and the suspension on full pay of the chief executive.
"Our audit of the 2007-08 financial statements commenced this week and we will work closely with the Armouries' internal auditors to consider the impact of their investigations on our audit opinion. After we have concluded our audit work, we will consider the need for any additional reporting."
The Royal Armouries is a national museum, funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
A DCMS spokesman said: "We are aware of the situation and are awaiting the outcome of the investigation. It is an internal matter for the museum. If there are issues they want to draw to our attention, then we will take the appropriate action."
Alan Leighton, national secretary of trade union Prospect, said: "I know nothing about this case, but in general, you should not draw the conclusion that suspension means that a person is guilty."
Evans was appointed master chief executive in July 2003, after two years as chief operating officer.
