Paul Evans has resigned as chief executive of the Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds. Evans was suspended on full pay in April pending an internal investigation into "potential irregularities" at the museum, but the investigation stalled after Evans was signed off sick and became too unwell to attend formal hearings.
A spokesman for the museum said his resignation, effective from 30 September, meant that the investigation could not be completed, but that the museum was satisfied that there was no ongoing issue to be investigated.
According to the spokesman, the police were not involved, as there was no evidence of criminal behaviour.
A spokesman for the National Audit Office confirmed that the investigation had had "no impact" on its audit opinion.
A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: "We have been kept aware of developments, but this is a matter for the chairman and trustees of the Armouries."
Ann Green, chairman of the Royal Armouries' board of trustees, said: "Paul Evans has decided to resign in order to pursue other interests. The trustees will now start the process of recruiting a new chief executive. In the meantime, the Armouries' administration director, Joan Jacobs, will continue to act as accounting officer."
Museums Journal has learned that the Armouries' director, Peter Armstrong, was also the subject of scrutiny earlier this year. A museum spokesman said: "Peter was not suspended or disciplined. He did not need to be investigated, but an allegation had been made and he had to be cleared."
A spokesman for the museum said his resignation, effective from 30 September, meant that the investigation could not be completed, but that the museum was satisfied that there was no ongoing issue to be investigated.
According to the spokesman, the police were not involved, as there was no evidence of criminal behaviour.
A spokesman for the National Audit Office confirmed that the investigation had had "no impact" on its audit opinion.
A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: "We have been kept aware of developments, but this is a matter for the chairman and trustees of the Armouries."
Ann Green, chairman of the Royal Armouries' board of trustees, said: "Paul Evans has decided to resign in order to pursue other interests. The trustees will now start the process of recruiting a new chief executive. In the meantime, the Armouries' administration director, Joan Jacobs, will continue to act as accounting officer."
Museums Journal has learned that the Armouries' director, Peter Armstrong, was also the subject of scrutiny earlier this year. A museum spokesman said: "Peter was not suspended or disciplined. He did not need to be investigated, but an allegation had been made and he had to be cleared."
