‘The British Museum is in possession of stolen goods. The Parthenon Marbles were stolen by Lord Elgin – they never were the “Elgin” Marbles. They are the Greek Marbles, the Parthenon Marbles, as a matter of law.’

So declared renowned media lawyer Mark Stephens CBE, addressing the annual conference of the Sole Practitioners Group in Ascot last Saturday.

In an unexpected but well-received tour de force, Stephens issued a plea for the marbles and other historical artefacts – notably the Easter Island moai – to be returned to their rightful owners. He even suggested Greece could veto any proposed UK-EU trade deal pending their return. 

Mark Stephens CBE

Mark Stephens CBE is heavily involved in efforts to repatriate cultural artefacts

The precedents are mutliplying. France recently returned items in the Louvre plundered from francophone Africa. Stephens, of Howard Kennedy, himself acted for the US government in the repatriation to Cambodia of temple structures in the Norton Simon museum in Pasadena.

‘It is absolutely shameful that our country is holding on to stolen goods, just like any common thief,’ he added. ‘It is time to rethink our museums and return cultural heritage to the places it belongs.’

Stephens’ appeal was well-timed. Last week a UNESCO advisory board has issued a recommendation urging the British Museum to revisit its stance on the Parthenon Marbles, which have been held by the London museum since the early 19th century.

Meanwhile, London firm Leigh Day has circulated a legal opinion stating that 11 artefacts stored in the British Museum - but never exhibited publicly - could be legally restored to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church under Section 5 of the British Museum Act 1963.

 

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