London, Thanasis Gavos

Voices and from Scotland, but also from Cornwall, for the repatriation of exhibits from the British Museum is caused by the revelation of the theft approximately 2,000 items from the London institution’s warehouses.

Scottish National MP Alasdair Allan said “more items should be sent back to where they come from”.

Speaking to MailOnline, he referred to the ‘Lewis Chessmen’, around 80 chess pieces made from seahorse tusks and whale teeth depicting royal and military figures. They date from the late 12th century and were found on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland in 1831.

Moreover, the head of the Cornwall extra-parliamentary party, Dick Cole, argued that local treasures in the British Museum and other London collections must also be returned.

“It is important to have a meaningful discussion about where important treasures or documents of special significance to the Celtic nations are housed and exhibited,” he noted.

The latest demands follow a demand made by Plaid Cymru Welsh MP Liz Saville-Roberts for the return to Wales of a golden cape and of a bronze shield which are in the British Museum.

As the Greek culture minister and the Nigerian government have stated, the revelation of the thefts reinforces calls for the repatriation of the Parthenon Sculptors and the Benin Bronzes, respectively.