Second man arrested after £4.8m golden lavatory stolen from Blenheim Palace

A second man has been arrested over a burglary in which an 18-carat solid gold toilet, valued at £4.8 million, was stolen from Blenheim Palace.

Thames Valley Police said a 36-year-old man, from Cheltenham, has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to burgle before being released under investigation.

It is understood the lavatory - which was the centrepiece of a new exhibition by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan at the Duke of Marlborough's country home where Winston Churchill was born - was taken in the early hours of Saturday morning.

A 66-year-old man was arrested immediately on suspicion of burglary and has been released on police bail until Oct 9.

Thames Valley Police have yet to find the elaborate piece, and it is feared it has already been melted down.

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

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

Just two days after it went on display, burglars broke into the Palace, ripped it from the wall and drove off, leaving "significant damage and flooding".

The lavatory, called "America", had been plumbed into the water system so that visitors could fully engage with the artwork, as long as they obeyed a three-minute time slot.

However, just hours after the launch party for the show finished, police say thieves using at least two vehicles smashed their way into the property, and made off with the expensive artwork.