Today shock news was announced that as part of the Brexit trade deals a clause dubbed as the “Elgin Marbles Clause**” may have been added to post Brexit trade deals by the EU. These discussions were said to have taken place at a meeting today and if true the clause will add weight to Greece’s claim for repatriation of the Parthenon marbles which currently reside in the British Museum.
A leading UK newspaper reported that it managed to get got hold of a draft of the trade deal which noted, “The Parties should, consistently with Union rules, address issues relating to the return or restitution of unlawfully removed cultural objects to their countries of origin”.
The same newspaper also noted that an official told them that the clause may be referring to artefacts taken from various countries, from 1801 to 1805, by Lord Elgin. The Parthenon Marbles are some of these very artefacts.
The Parthenon marbles are still currently owned and looked after by the British Museum, and Government Officials have been quick to note that the Marbles are not part of their Brexit trade negotiations.
As yet the British Museum haven’t commented on the situation.
**Please note the “Elgin marbles clause” is the current press name for this ongoing international news story. We are very aware they are the Parthenon Marbles.