Latest news with #ParthenonSculptures
Sky News
04-08-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
'Covert' and 'accelerating campaign' to return Elgin Marbles to Greece, say campaigners
Former prime minister Liz Truss, historian Dr David Starkey and Sir John Redwood are among 34 signatories to a letter alleging the British Museum is part of a "covert" and "accelerating campaign" to return the Elgin Marbles to Greece. The letter, seen exclusively by Sky News, which was sent to Sir Keir Starmer, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and trustees of British Museum, says "reform will be necessary". It says that some British Museum "trustees may need to consider their position" and calls for an end to any negotiations to return the Elgin Marbles, also known as the Parthenon Sculptures, or risk legal challenges. In the letter, campaigners call out what they see as "covert negotiation", citing an "accelerating campaign to remove the Elgin Marbles from the British Museum". They warn that they "reserve the right to seek legal advice on how best to protect the interests of the British public" including "pursuing an injunction to halt any ongoing or future negotiations until the beneficiaries [the British public] have been fully informed". The letter has been organised by the right-wing campaign group Great British PAC, led by Conservative activist Claire Bullivant and former Reform deputy co-leader Ben Habib. The British Museum Act 1963 prevents treasures like the Marbles from being legally given away by the museum. A government spokesperson said there are "no plans to change the law that would permit a permanent move of the Parthenon Sculptures". The spokesperson added that decisions relating to the care and management of the museum's collections, including loaning objects, "are a matter for the trustees of the British Museum". It is understood the government has not been asked to consider a request related to the loan of the Elgin Marbles. Speaking at a Westminster Hall debate on the return of the artefacts in May, culture minister Chris Bryant said: "We have no intention to change the law." He added: "Under existing law, it would be impossible for there to be a permanent or indefinite loan." Back in December, British Museum chair and former chancellor George Osborne told the Political Currency podcast that a deal to return the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece is "still some distance" away. Mr Osborne has been contacted for a comment. A spokesperson for the British Museum said: "Discussions with Greece about a Parthenon Partnership are on-going and constructive. "We believe that this kind of long-term partnership would strike the right balance between sharing our greatest objects with audiences around the world, and maintaining the integrity of the incredible collection we hold at the museum." The Parthenon Project, which includes supporters such as Stephen Fry and Lord Ed Vaizey on its board, campaigns for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures and was cited in the letter as "lavishly funded by a foreign industrialist". The lobbying group's website lists Greek plastics magnate John Lefas and family as the leaders and key financiers of the organisation, and that it aims for a "win-win solution" for both Greece and Britain. British diplomat Lord Elgin removed the sculptures in the early 19th century while he was the ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, which then ruled Greece. Lord Elgin claimed he had been given permission by the Ottoman Empire for the transfer of the sculptures and sold them to the UK government in 1816, before the marbles were passed into the trusteeship of the British Museum. Turkey disputes that permission was ever given, and representative Dr Zeynep Boz supported Greece publicly in 2024 at the United Nations Return & Restitution Intergovernmental Committee (ICPRCP). UK agrees deal on Bayeux Tapestry The latest outburst over the Elgin Marbles comes as the Bayeux Tapestry loan deal with France has been agreed. The historic depiction of the Battle of Hastings and the killing of King Harold will be back in Britain for the first time in 900 years from September 2026 to July 2027. This diplomatic triumph could signal that the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures is possible and that there could be reasons for the signatories to seek legal action yet.
The Sun
12-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Britain must keep the Elgin Marbles, Nigel Farage says
NIGEL Farage has waded into the Elgin Marbles row saying they 'absolutely' should remain in Britain. The priceless artefacts must not be handed over to Greece, the Reform UK boss said. 7 7 7 Chairman of the British Museum George Osborne is reportedly negotiating a 'reciprocal loan deal' with the Greeks. In return Athens would provide the museum with revolving displays of other ancient artefacts. Mr Farage told the Sun on Sunday: 'No. If the Elgin Marbles had stayed in Greece, they wouldn't even exist today. 'The British Museum has been the most fantastic protector for some of the world's treasures and should continue to be so.' 7 This week former Tory prime minister Liz Truss and historian Dr David Starkey signed a letter to Sir Keir Starmer claiming the museum is part of a "covert" and "accelerating campaign" to hand the marbles to Greece. She said: 'Those trying to undermine our national culture should be taken on, not appeased.' 7 7 The marbles, also called the Parthenon Sculptures, were shipped to London in the early 19th Century when Lord Elgin was British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. Greece has been demanding their return for decades. A law prevents treasures like the Marbles from being given away by the museum. And the British Government says there are no plans to change the law. It comes after a deal was struck with France to loan the UK the Bayeux Tapestry.
Sky News
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
British Museum part of 'covert' campaign to return Elgin Marbles to Greece, say campaigners
Former prime minister Liz Truss, historian Dr David Starkey and Sir John Redwood are among 34 signatories to a letter alleging the British Museum is part of a "covert" and "accelerating campaign" to return the Elgin Marbles to Greece. The letter, seen exclusively by Sky News, which was sent to Sir Keir Starmer, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and trustees of British Museum, says "reform will be necessary". It says that some British Museum "trustees may need to consider their position" and calls for an end to any negotiations to return the Elgin Marbles, also known as the Parthenon Sculptures, or risk legal challenges. In the letter, campaigners call out what they see as "covert negotiation", citing an "accelerating campaign to remove the Elgin Marbles from the British Museum". They warn that they "reserve the right to seek legal advice on how best to protect the interests of the British public" including "pursuing an injunction to halt any ongoing or future negotiations until the beneficiaries [the British public] have been fully informed". The letter has been organised by the right-wing campaign group Great British PAC, led by Conservative activist Claire Bullivant and former Reform deputy co-leader Ben Habib. The British Museum Act 1963 prevents treasures like the Marbles from being legally given away by the museum. A government spokesperson said there are "no plans to change the law that would permit a permanent move of the Parthenon Sculptures". The spokesperson added that decisions relating to the care and management of the museum's collections, including loaning objects, "are a matter for the trustees of the British Museum". It is understood the government has not been asked to consider a request related to the loan of the Elgin Marbles. Speaking at a Westminster Hall debate on the return of the artefacts in May, culture minister Chris Bryant said: "We have no intention to change the law." He added: "Under existing law, it would be impossible for there to be a permanent or indefinite loan." Back in December, British Museum chair and former chancellor George Osborne told the Political Currency podcast that a deal to return the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece is "still some distance" away. Mr Osborne has been contacted for a comment. A spokesperson for the British Museum said: "Discussions with Greece about a Parthenon Partnership are on-going and constructive. "We believe that this kind of long-term partnership would strike the right balance between sharing our greatest objects with audiences around the world, and maintaining the integrity of the incredible collection we hold at the museum." The Parthenon Project, which includes supporters such as Stephen Fry and Lord Ed Vaizey on its board, campaigns for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures and was cited in the letter as "lavishly funded by a foreign industrialist". The lobbying group's website lists Greek plastics magnate John Lefas and family as the leaders and key financiers of the organisation, and that it aims for a "win-win solution" for both Greece and Britain. British diplomat Lord Elgin removed the sculptures in the early 19th century while he was the ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, which then ruled Greece. Lord Elgin claimed he had been given permission by the Ottoman Empire for the transfer of the sculptures and sold them to the UK government in 1816, before the marbles were passed into the trusteeship of the British Museum. Turkey disputes that permission was ever given, and representative Dr Zeynep Boz supported Greece publicly in 2024 at the United Nations Return & Restitution Intergovernmental Committee (ICPRCP). UK agrees deal on Bayeux Tapestry The latest outburst over the Elgin Marbles comes as the Bayeux Tapestry loan deal with France has been agreed. The historic depiction of the Battle of Hastings and the killing of King Harold will be back in Britain for the first time in 900 years from September 2026 to July 2027. This diplomatic triumph could signal that the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures is possible and that there could be reasons for the signatories to seek legal action yet.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Elgin Marbles should be returned to Greece, says Welsh First Minister
Eluned Morgan has broken ranks and called for the return of the Elgin Marbles to Greece. Wales's First Minister is the first senior Labour figure to call for the repatriation of the ancient relics since the election. In the clearest indication yet that the Government may be willing to hand the Marbles back, Ms Morgan told the Greek newspaper Ta Nea: 'The Parthenon Sculptures should be returned to Greece.' 'I think there's a lot of discussion going on. I hope they continue with those discussions. 'I know this is a really sensitive issue. It's a matter for the UK Government, but I think I've been on record in the past to say that actually they should be returned to Greece.' The Elgin Marbles currently reside in the British Museum, but the Greek government has long called for them to be returned. Talks between Greece and the museum have been ongoing since 2021. Last year, Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, seemed to open the door to some form of repatriation. She said in October: 'We're very keen to talk to our counterparts in Greece and to work with you to find a resolution to what has been a very long-running dispute'. In December, a spokesman for the Prime Minister said the future of the Marbles was 'a matter for the trustees of the British Museum, which is operationally independent of the government'. The Museum has said there are 'ongoing and constructive' talks about some form of temporary loan scheme. The Marbles were sculpted in the 5th century BC to adorn the frieze of the Parthenon temple of the Acropolis in Athens. They were removed from the Acropolis by workmen under Lord Elgin in the early 19th century. The British Museum acquired them from Lord Elgin in 1816 by an Act of Parliament and they have been displayed in Bloomsbury ever since. The collection, sometimes known as the Parthenon Marbles, comprises a 75-metre long stretch of the original 160-metre Parthenon frieze, 17 pedimental statues and 15 of the original 92 metopes, carved rectangular plaques which sat above the columns of the temple. Many of the leftover relics are displayed at the Acropolis Museum in Athens. The fate of the Marbles has been a long-running diplomatic sore in Britain's otherwise friendly relationship with Greece. In 2023 it triggered a row between Rishi Sunak, the then prime minister, and his Greek counterpart. On a visit to the UK, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greece's prime minister, called for their return. Mr Sunak responded by pulling out of a planned bilateral meeting. The circumstances of the Marbles' removal from Greece is a longstanding controversy. Advocates of repatriation say they were stolen from the Parthenon by bandits using saws and hammers, with the Greek government describing their removal as 'serial theft'. But the British Museum continues to claim that many of the relics were removed 'from the rubble around the Parthenon'. Meanwhile, Lord Elgin's claim that he obtained permission from the Ottoman government, then in control over the majority of present-day Greece, to remove the relics has been hotly contested for centuries. When he was Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn promised to return the Marbles to Greece if he became prime minister. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
05-04-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Labour Welsh First Minister says Elgin Marbles should be returned to Greece
Eluned Morgan has broken ranks and called for the return of the Elgin Marbles to Greece. Wales's First Minister is the first senior Labour figure to call for the repatriation of the ancient relics since the election. In the clearest indication yet that the Government may be willing to hand the Marbles back, Ms Morgan told the Greek newspaper Ta Nea: 'The Parthenon Sculptures should be returned to Greece.' 'I think there's a lot of discussions going on. I hope they continue with those discussions. 'I know this is a really sensitive issue. It's a matter for the UK Government, but I think I've been on record in the past to say that actually they should be returned to Greece.' The Elgin Marbles currently reside in the British Museum but the Greek government has long called for them to be returned. Talks between Greece and the museum have been ongoing since 2021. Last year Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, seemed to open the door to some form of repatriation. She said in October: 'We're very keen to talk to our counterparts in Greece and to work with you to find a resolution to what has been a very long-running dispute'. In December, a spokesman for the Prime Minister said the future of the Marbles was 'a matter for the trustees of the British Museum, which is operationally independent of the government'. The Museum has said there are ' ongoing and constructive' talks about some form of temporary loan scheme. Long-running diplomatic sore between UK and Greece The Marbles were sculpted in the 5th century BC to adorn the frieze of the Parthenon temple of the Acropolis in Athens. They were removed from the Acropolis by workmen under Lord Elgin in the early 19th century. The British Museum acquired them from Lord Elgin in 1816 by an Act of Parliament and they have been displayed in Bloomsbury ever since. The collection, sometimes known as the Parthenon Marbles, comprises a 75-metre long stretch of the original 160-metre Parthenon frieze, 17 pedimental statues and 15 of the original 92 metopes, carved rectangular plaques which sat above the columns of the temple. Many of the leftover relics are displayed at the Acropolis Museum in Athens. The fate of the Marbles has been a long-running diplomatic sore in Britain's otherwise friendly relationship with Greece. In 2023 it triggered a row between Rishi Sunak, the then prime minister, and his Greek counterpart. On a visit to the UK Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greece's prime minister, called for their return. Mr Sunak responded by pulling out of a planned bilateral meeting. 'Serial theft' The circumstances of the Marbles' removal from Greece is a longstanding controversy. Advocates of repatriation say they were stolen from the Parthenon by bandits using saws and hammers, with the Greek government describing their removal as 'serial theft'. But the British Museum continues to claim that many of the relics were removed 'from the rubble around the Parthenon'. Meanwhile, Lord Elgin's claim that he obtained permission from the Ottoman government, then in control over the majority of present-day Greece, to remove the relics has been hotly contested for centuries. When he was Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn promised to return the Marbles to Greece if he became prime minister.
