Osborne’s Elgin Marbles deal sets dangerous precedent for other treasures, say MPS
GEORGE OSBORNE’S Elgin Marbles deal could set a “dangerous precedent” for Britain’s museums, MPS have warned.
As chairman of the British Museum, the former chancellor has been locked in negotiation with Greece over the return of ancient sculptures, with a deal being discussed to end the long-running diplomatic dispute over their future.
MPS will monitor whether such an agreement could undermine the UK’S museums by setting a “dangerous precedent” that nations campaigning for repatriation may seek to follow.
They issued the warning after a renewed effort by Greece to secure the Marbles, including a private lobbying initiative backed by a Greek plastic magnate and endorsed by Stephen Fry, which is seeking to gain supporters for repatriation in the UK, including in Parliament.
Parliament itself will follow these developments, according to Tory MP Tim Loughton, the chairman of the allparty parliamentary group (APPG) for the British Museum.
He said: “The APPG will meet soon to discuss this but it is a very complex ‘We must not let museums, as custodians of world heritage, be undermined in such a dangerous way’ issue with huge international implications. The celebrity-backed ‘restitution’ campaign bankrolled by big money seems to want to use priceless treasures of world heritage importance as bargaining chips. We must not let our museums, as custodians of world heritage, be undermined in such a dangerous way.”
UK law prevents the museum giving away objects in its collection, but the talks with Greece may provide a new framework for “loans” which are not time-limited, sources have suggested, offering a new option for repatriation campaigners. There is concern among other MPS that the deal being devised by Mr Osborne could offer favourable terms to Greece, which could then be demanded by other nations seeking to have objects repatriated.
Such a precedent could prove useful for campaigners in Nigeria, who might insist that the same terms be offered for a return of the Benin Bronzes, which the African nation is seeking to reclaim.