Blenheim Palace gold toilet burglary: Second man arrested over theft of loo worth more than £4million | London Evening Standard

Blenheim Palace gold toilet burglary: Second man arrested over theft of loo worth more than £4millionThe toilet was open to public use at the palace on September 12Getty Images

A second man has been arrested on suspicion of stealing a gold toilet from Blenheim Palace.

The fully functioning 18-carat solid gold loo, named America and installed for an art exhibition at Sir Winston Churchill's birthplace, was taken during a burglary in the early hours of Saturday, Thames Valley Police said.

It is valued at around £4.8million.

The theft of the sculpture from a wood-panelled room at the 18th-century Oxfordshire estate caused significant flood damage as it had been plumbed in for visitors to use.

The toilet was part of an art exhibition at 18th century World Heritage site Blenheim PalacePA

The force on Tuesday said a 36-year-old man from Cheltenham had been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to burgle and released under investigation.

It follows a 66-year-old man being arrested on suspicion of burglary and released on bail until October 9, it added.

Investigating officer Detective Inspector Steven Jones, said: "We are continuing to investigate this incident and have made a second arrest in connection with it.

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"Our priority is to locate the stolen item, and I would urge anyone with any information to contact police by calling 101."

Reports had said the toilet was worth an estimated £1 million, but Blenheim Palace chief executive Dominic Hare said the artwork, by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, is valued at about six million US dollars (£4.8 million).

Witness should call the police on 101 quoting reference number URN 273 (14/9).

​Additional reporting by PA.