The British Museum has been accused of exhibiting "pilfered cultural property", by a leading human rights lawyer who is calling for European and US institutions to return treasures taken from "subjugated peoples" by "conquerors or colonial masters".
Geoffrey Robertson QC said: "The trustees of the British Museum have become the world's largest receivers of stolen property, and the great majority of their loot is not even on public display.
He criticised the museum for allowing an unofficial "stolen goods tour", "which stops at the Elgin marbles, Hoa Hakananai'a, the Benin bronzes and other pilfered cultural property". The three items he mentioned are wanted by Greece, Easter Island and Nigeria respectively.
"This is a time for humility – something the British, still yearning for the era when they ruled the world, ie for Brexit, do not do very well. Before it releases any of its share of other people's cultural heritage, the British Museum could mount an exhibition – 'The Spoils of Empire'."
What's your take, ERA?