Latest news with #ElginMarbles
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Elgin Marbles could be loaned to Greece indefinitely under MPs' plans
MPs will push to change the law to pave the way for the Elgin Marbles to be returned. Greece and the British Museum are locked in a stalemate in talks over a potential deal that would see the ancient sculptures returned to Athens. Limited by legislation, the best the British Museum chairman George Osborne can offer the Greek government is a three-year loan. This will not be countenanced by Greek leaders who claim that the Marbles were stolen by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century, and are in effect illegally held in the UK. Parliamentarians sympathetic to the Greek cause are hoping to alter existing laws to pave the way for an 'indefinite loan' currently barred by UK law. This would allow the British Museum to 'loan' the Marbles to Greece without having to renounce ownership of the sculptures that once adorned the Parthenon. Liberal Democrat MP Andrew George is leading efforts in the Commons to have the Marbles returned. He told the Telegraph that he hopes to 'get parliamentary draughtsmen to look at the way we could bring in a statutory instrument to address it'. Mr George said that tweaking UK law would give the British Museum more freedom and make it easier to reach a deal over the Marbles, which Mr Osborne has advocated. The MP said: 'We have fertile ground in George Osborne and the trustees of the British Museum.' The British Museum is prevented by British Museum Act 1963 from disposing of objects in its collection, which is held for the public, and it therefore lacks the power to hand over the Elgin Marbles. It can offer a loan, but this would necessitate Greece accepting Britain's legal ownership, and the eventual need to return what had been loaned. The Greek position is that the Marbles were stolen, and that the statues, plaques and sections of frieze designed by Phidias should be permanently returned to Athens. The UK government has said it will not change the British Museum act, resulting in a stalemate between all parties. Chris Bryant, the art minister, has been adamant that the three-year loan option is the only currently available legal means by which the Marbles could ever end up in Greece. However, MPs and former peers, including Lord Vaizey and Baroness Debbonaire, hope that they can push for changes to the Export Control Act 2002. This limits the loan of cultural artefacts to three years, but by tweaking to allow for indefinite periods, MPs hope to create a backdoor to permanently exporting the Marbles without becoming embroiled in the legality of ownership. This plan would require Parliamentary support to introduce a statutory instrument, and on the Greek government accepting a permanent return deal under the guise of a 'loan'. The British Museum will soon need somewhere to store the marbles as it begins work o a major restoration of its western galleries, where the artworks are held, and campaigners feel that it is the pert time to reach and agreement with Greece
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.
The Independent
08-07-2025
- The Independent
British Museum to close on key day in summer – but it won't say why
The UK's most popular tourist attraction, the British Museum in London, has suddenly announced it will close for the day on Wednesday 9 July. The decision comes at a time when London is thronged with tourists. On its website, the museum says only: 'We will be closed for a Museum event on 9 July. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.' But The Independent has seen a message that was sent on Monday to members of the British Museum, who pay £74 annual for admission to exhibitions and members-only events. It reads: 'On Wednesday 9 July, the Museum will be closed for a Museum event. I appreciate this will be disappointing for anyone planning to visit that day and I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Although no further details are available at this stage, I am very happy to discuss it further with Members following the event and we aim to be in contact with more information as soon as possible.' The message ends by highlighting 'a range of online content this week'. The sudden closure and refusal to reveal the reason have led to speculation online about possible explanations. The first is that the museum will close for French president Emmanuel Macron, who is on a state visit to the UK. The broadcaster Hugh Sykes posted on X, formerly Twitter: 'Related to Macron peut-être?', while Alicia Hayes speculated: 'Taking down the Elgin Marbles to handover to Greece?' A travel blog account, Viaggieri Leggeri, suggested: 'Jeff Bezos' wedding reception, maybe?' Whatever the true reason, many tourists are likely to be disappointed. On an average day last year, 17,900 people visited what is said to be the oldest national museum in the world. Many tourists are on tight schedules and may be unable to reschedule – and those that can rearrange their trips face intense crowding when it reopens on Thursday 10 July. The British Museum was founded in 1753 to house the collection of 71,000 items bequeathed by the traveller and collector Hans Sloane. The present building in Bloomsbury has been the museum's home since the mid-19th century. A number of objects are described by the museum as 'contested', including the Parthenon Sculptures – also known as the Elgin Marbles.
Daily Mirror
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Inside huge abandoned UK underground station walked over by millions
A creepy underground station that has been left to rot for more than 30 years once played a vital part in protecting Brits from air ride strikes during both World Wars Beneath the bustling streets of central London lies a 'ghost' station that remains eerily frozen in time. Thousands of Brits walk over this underground hub every single day, completely unaware of the abandoned station below them which has been described as a 'deserted time capsule' in the heart of the city. Aldwych (also known as Strand) opened up back in 1907, and was once a terminus of the Piccadilly line, serving trains to and from Holborn station. Consisting of two platforms, interconnecting tunnels, and a ticket hall, this disused station played a key role during both World Wars, providing shelters for Londoners desperate to escape air raids. It was also used to protect some of the nation's most valuable artworks from being destroyed by bombs, including sections of the Elgin Marbles and paintings from the National Gallery. However, the station was never used by passengers as much as intended, resulting in it permanently closing to the public in 1994. Now, it remains a creepy omen of what once was, and has been used as a filming venue for several iconic films and TV shows, including Sherlock, Luther: The Fallen Sun, Mr Selfridge, 28 Weeks Later, and Netflix's Bodies. Distinguished by its famous red-tiled façade, Brits can now go on a tour of the station and spot the decades-old posters that still stick to the walls. The original 1907 lifts and vintage tiles have been left abandoned for decades, which makes for a perfect Instagram snap. "Step back in time and immerse yourself in the beautifully preserved Leslie Green architecture that defined the Edwardian era," states London Transport Museum, a charity dedicated to conserving and sharing London's transport and design heritage. "Retrace the steps of passengers from over a century ago in the turn-of-the-century ticket hall, step into the original 1907 lifts, and admire vintage tiles and signs dotted throughout the station. Discover how the station's role extended beyond providing safety, with stories of the entertainment and community spirit that kept morale high beneath the city streets." Tickets to enter Aldwych are priced at £45 for adults and £42 for concessions and children. The tour is open to guests aged 10 and over, and those under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The guided tour lasts for around 75 minutes and does not offer step-free access. There are 160 steps connecting the entrance at street level to the platforms below, meaning wheelchair users cannot be accommodated. "This tour also takes guests to confined areas and spaces with low lighting and that may be dusty, which may make it unsuitable for people with claustrophobia," London Transport Museum added.
