Parliamentarians, academics, lawyers and public figures unite to warn British Museum: "We will not stand by."
A powerful cross-party coalition of politicians, peers, legal experts, academics and cultural figures has issued an unprecedented public letter to the British Museum Trustees, the Culture Secretary, and the Prime Minister, calling for an immediate halt to secretive plans to transfer the Parthenon Sculptures, commonly known as the Elgin Marbles, to Greece.
The letter, organised by the Great British PAC and archaeologist Dr Mario Trabucco della Torretta, is signed by over 30 high-profile figures, including former Prime Minister Liz Truss, historian David Starkey, and Lord Hannan. It declares that "We will not stand by while the Elgin Marbles are given away," insists on the value of the Marbles as a British cultural asset and warns that "deals" to send them to Athens may breach the fiduciary and legal duties owed by museum trustees to the British public.
The move comes amid growing concern over backdoor negotiations between the British Museum and the Greek government, supported by the lobbying efforts of the foreign-funded Parthenon Project, chaired by Lord Vaizey. Signatories allege these dealings are being conducted with "secrecy, foreign influence, and political lobbying" and warn that they could lead to irreversible damage to Britain's public collections.
"The British Museum is not a private foundation. Its trustees cannot act as philosopher-kings, rewriting history and the law in pursuit of fashionable redemption," the letter declares.
Key concerns raised in the letter include:
The lack of public consultation or parliamentary scrutiny over the proposed transfer.
Legal warnings over a potential breach of the British Museum Act (1963), which forbids the disposal of objects in the collection.
The troubling role of foreign funding and state-backed lobbying in attempting to shape UK museum policy.
The risk of setting a dangerous precedent that could imperil cultural collections across Britain.
David Starkey, one of the lead supporters of the letter, emphasised the historical and cultural importance of the sculptures' presence in Britain:
"Before Lord Elgin brought them to London, knowledge of the sculptures' appearance depended on a handful of engravings. Their arrival in Britain ignited a wave of neoclassical inspiration—from Buckingham Palace to the British Museum itself. To suggest they belong only to one country is to ignore the very cultural exchange that gave them meaning and preserved them."
The letter also highlights the irony that the Elgin Marbles, often maligned as "loot", were in fact rescued from destruction under Ottoman rule, unlike countless other classical artefacts lost forever: "the Marbles survived because they came to Britain", said Starkey.
Dr Mario Trabucco della Torretta, a leading campaigner to keep the statues in the UK said:
"We understand the Greek attachment to these sculptures, but this focuses solely on the moment of their creation, neglecting to tell a much richer cultural story. Their lawful acquisition is an early example of conservation, and it is in itself a cultural fact that had profound effects on British culture. This story deserves to be understood and respected just as much as their origin, and it is an essential part of our identity, both as Britons and as Westerners. No nation can claim a monopoly on that."
Signatories have called for:
An immediate suspension of any ongoing negotiations or private agreements.
A formal public inquiry and independent legal review.
A reaffirmation of the Museum's duty to act in trust for the British public, not in the interest of foreign governments or private ideologies.
The Great British PAC hopes the cross-party letter will bring national attention to what many are calling a tipping point in Britain's cultural sovereignty.
Media Appearances:
Dr Mario Trabucco della Torretta
[email protected]
Media Contact:
Claire Bullivant
[email protected]
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