Cheltenham man arrested in connection with gold toilet theft

The solid gold toilet stolen from Blenheim Palace. Credit: Jacopo Zotti/Guggenheim

A man from Cheltenham has been arrested on suspicion of stealing an 18-carat solid gold toilet from Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. The fully functioning loo, installed for an art exhibition at Sir Winston Churchill's birthplace is valued at nearly £5 million.

It was taken during a burglary in the early hours of Saturday, Thames Valley Police said. The theft of the sculpture from a wood-panelled room at the 18th-century estate caused significant flood damage as it had been plumbed in for visitors to use.

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.