The head of a West Yorkshire museum has been suspended while an investigation is carried out into "potential irregularities", it has emerged.
Paul Evans has been suspended from the Royal Armouries in Leeds. The museum is home to the country's national collection of arms and armour, including artillery.
Mr Evans was appointed Master of the Armouries and Chief Executive in July 2003, havi
ng been the museum's Chief Operating Officer since 2001.
The armouries chair, Ann Green 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 full and thorough examination.
"As part of this process, and as a standard measure, a full internal investigation is currently under way in accordance with The Royal Armouries established procedures. Understandably, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.
It is understood Mr Evans will receive his £91,000 salary during the inquiry but will not use his office at the museum's headquarters in Leeds.
Before joining the Royal Armouries, Mr Evans was a senior executive in the holidays, leisure and brewing industries.
Mr Evans is a school governor and member of the National Museum Directors' Conference. He also has degrees in Japanese language, business administration and philosophy.
He is currently studying for a PhD at Manchester Business School where he is researching organisational behaviour.
A spokesman for the Department for Media, Culture and Sport said: "We have been made aware of the situation and await the outcome of the investigation into it."
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