Burnham steps back from earlier call to return Parthenon sculptures to Greece

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has retreated from his previous public position on returning the Parthenon sculptures, according to reporting by the Financial Times and the Daily Mail. Both outlets note that Burnham had previously called for the British Museum to send the sculptures to Greece with no conditions attached, but he now appears to be deferring the decision to the British Museum itself rather than pressing for return.

The Parthenon sculptures, sometimes referred to as the Elgin Marbles, have been held at the British Museum since the early nineteenth century and have been the subject of long-running diplomatic exchanges between the UK and Greece. The question of whether to return them carries political weight because any formal transfer would likely require an Act of Parliament to amend the British Museum Act 1963, which currently prohibits the museum from permanently dealoguing objects in its collection.

Burnham's apparent shift places him in a more cautious position than his earlier stated view, and raises questions about whether the government intends to legislate or leave the matter entirely to the museum's trustees. Neither outlet provides detail on any formal government policy change, nor is there yet recorded reaction from opposition parties, the Greek government, or the British Museum itself. The story is at an early stage and further clarification of the government's position is likely to follow.