The Elgin Marbles are 'close to being handed back to Greece' after 200 years as part of a long-term deal drawn up by the British Museum's George Osborne
The Elgin Marbles could be handed back to Greece soon, with the British Museum's chairman George Osborne having drawn up an agreement with Athens as part of a "cultural exchange", according to reports.The 2,500-year-old marbles, taken from the Parthenon by British aristocrat Lord Elgin in the early 19th century, have been controversial ever since.
But UK law bars institutions like the British Museum from giving away cultural artefacts such as the marbles. Last month the government blocked an attempt at changing the law.But former Tory chancellor and British Museum chief Mr Osborne is now close to a deal with Athens to hand back the marbles as part of a long-term "cultural exchange", which would get around the law, the Telegraph has reported.
A Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson told the PA news agency: "The Parthenon Sculptures in the British Museum are legally owned by the Trustees of the British Museum, which is operationally independent of Government. Decisions relating to the care and management of its collections are a matter for the trustees."
Last month the British Museum said in a statement it had "publicly called for a new Parthenon Partnership with Greece" and would "talk to anyone, including the Greek government about how to take that forward".
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