The so-called Elgin Marbles could soon be returned to Greece as the British Museum reportedly closes in on a landmark deal (Matthew Fearn/PA)
(Picture: PA Archive)More than half the country would support the British Museum returning the Elgin Marbles to Greece, according to a new poll.
It comes as the long-running row over the 17 sculptures and part of a frieze that decorated the 2,500-year-old Parthenon temple at the Acropolis in Athens appears to be inching towards a potential deal.
The marbles, also known as the Parthenon Sculptures, were taken by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century when he was the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire and the museum has faced almost constant demands for their return.
A YouGov poll, carried out on behalf of the Parthenon Project — which campaigns for their restitution, found 53 per cent supported the return with another 20 per cent saying they had no strong opinion either way.
Just 21 per cent were opposed. Among Londoners the number in support of restitution rose slightly to 54 per cent. Among those supporting the return, 88 per cent said it was because they felt the sculptures rightfully belonged to Greece.
The results come as it was reported that the museum has moved closer to a landmark deal with Greece. Its chairman, former chancellor George Osborne, is reported to have drawn up an agreement with Athens as part of a cultural exchange.
It comes after the Government rejected Tory peer Lord Vaizey of Didcot’s call for a law change to make it easier for UK museums to deal with restitution requests.
Current legislation prevents treasures from being legally given away but Mr Osborne is reportedly seeking to repatriate the Classical works as part of an agreement that would see other Greek antiquities go on show there.
A Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport spokesman said: “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 museum said that 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”.
It added: “We operate within the law and we’re not going to dismantle our great collection as it tells a unique story of our common humanity. But we are seeking new positive, long-term partnerships with countries and communities around the world.”
Restitution is one of the major issues facing the capital’s museums with debates over the rightful ownership of exhibits obtained at the height of the empire. Last year, the Horniman Museum in Forest Hill handed back to Nigeria dozens of artefacts taken by the British army from Benin City in 1897.
