Part of friezes that adorned the 2,500-year-old Parthenon temple on the Acropolis, have been displayed at the British Museum in London for more than 200 years following the removal by Lord Elgin, when he was British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, in the early 19th Century. When asked for her opinion on the Elgin Marbles at a meeting of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Wednesday, Ms Frazer said: “My view is there is only certain circumstances where you can ..
. transfer objects. “The British Museum Trustees are responsible for the objects, they were legally acquired and we have no intention of changing the law in relation to those issues.
” When questioned if she would support a loan of the sculptures, she said: “I think it’s very important that the Greek Government recognises that those objects are owned and have been legitimately acquired. “Objects are loaned from time to time but that is fundamental that our ownership is recognised.” For decades, Greece has demanded the return of the Parthenon Sculptures, and claimed they were illegally acquired during a period of foreign occupation – which the UK Government rejects.
A purpose-built museum in Athens houses remaining marbles. George Osborne, the chairman of the British Museum trustees and former Chancellor, is reportedly in talks to return the items, and has previously stated there is a “deal to be done” with Greece to share the artefacts. Ms Frazer told MPs that she rejected reports that the Go.
