Fresh troubles for Royal Institution as director resigns after less than four months

Professor Sarah Harper took over as director in May; her resignation has been followed by the departure of three other senior staff members

The Royal Institution, one of Britain's most revered scientific organisations, is facing fresh troubles following the resignation of its director and three senior managers.

Professor Sarah Harper, a highly-respected gerontologist at Oxford University, took over as director at the institution in May, but has resigned after less than four months in the post. Three other senior staff, in HR, fundraising, and operations, have also stepped down.