Overview

• George Clooney reiterated his commitment to the return of the Elgin Marbles in a recent interview, declaring he and Amal Clooney will 'keep pushing' until the artefacts are repatriated.
• The Elgin Marbles, 2,500-year-old sculptures from the Parthenon, were removed by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century and are currently housed in the British Museum.
• Negotiations between British Museum chairman George Osborne and the Greek government remain deadlocked, with UK law preventing permanent transfers and Greece rejecting temporary loans.
• The 1963 British Museum Act legally bars the institution from permanently returning collection items, while Greece insists only a permanent return would resolve the issue.
• UNESCO's 2022 ruling that Britain has an obligation to return the Marbles has intensified international pressure, but UK politicians warn of setting a precedent for other artefacts.