British PM Rishi Sunak rules out permanent return of Elgin Marbles to Greece

No plans to amend legislation, but loan of sculptures still possible

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has ruled out changing a law that prohibits the British Museum handing the Elgin Marbles — a collection of Parthenon sculptures — permanently back to Greece. Mr Sunak said there were no plans to amend the legislation, which states the museum can only dispose of objects within its collection in limited circumstances. However, the museum could still arrange a loan of the sculptures.

Greece has repeatedly called for return of the sculptures

Since independence in 1832, Greece has repeatedly called for the return of the sculptures — known in Britain as the Elgin Marbles — that British diplomat Lord Elgin removed from the Parthenon temple in Athens in the early 19th century, when Greece was under Ottoman rule. Mr Sunak is unlikely to break with the stances of his two predecessors, who were both against any kind of loan of the marbles to Greece.

UK treasures the collection

“The UK has cared for the Elgin Marbles for generations. Our galleries and museums are funded by taxpayers because they are a huge asset to this country,” Mr Sunak told reporters on his plane as he flew to the United States. “We share their treasures with the world, and the world comes to the UK to see them. The collection of the British Museum is protected by law, and we have no plans to change it.”

Former finance minister working on new arrangement with Greece

A former finance minister, George Osborne — the current chair of the British Museum — has been working on a new arrangement with Greece, through which the sculptures could be seen both in London and in Athens. The Parthenon Project — which has been backed by British politicians from different political parties to settle the issue — announced on Sunday that the British Museum’s Parthenon collection could be returned to Greece under a long-term cultural partnership agreement.

Credit: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-14/uk-pm-sunak-rules-out-law-change-for-return-of-parthenon-marbles/102091680

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