Parthenon marbles debate

Andrew George MP has welcomed the result of a debate held in London last night to discuss the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.

Mr George, who chairs Marbles Reunited, was invited to take part in the event by actor Stephen Fry and he said he was delighted with the outcome which ended with a majority for the motion that they be returned to Greece of 384 to 125.

Prior to the debate, which was hosted by Intelligence Squared and chaired by the television and radio broadcaster, Zeinab Badawi, 196 were in favour of the marbles being returned and 202 were against.

Mr George said: “It was a good natured and fair debate in which the issues were very well aired and the audience itself were extremely well informed.

“It was a privilege to be asked by Stephen to join him in the debate and it is reassuring that when people hear the issues and understand what we are calling for, our reasonable and modest request gathers support.”

The opponents to the motion were Professor Tristram Hunt MP – Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central and Professor Felipe Fernandez-Armesto – History Professor at Notre Dame University.

The Parthenon Marbles were taken from Athens in 1802 by Lord Elgin and have since 1816 been the property of the British Government and have been on show in the British Museum.

 

 

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