MP accuses Greece of 'blatant opportunism' in museum theft row

A SENIOR Tory MP has blasted Greece for claiming ancient treasures such as the Elgin Marbles are not safe in the British Museum.

- Martyn Brown

Tim Loughton hit out after one of the Mediterranean country's top archaeologists said the institution was not protecting its artefacts following a huge spate of thefts.

The MP admitted that the recent disclosure of stolen and missing items was "damaging".

But he added: "What is particularly damaging is the blatant opportunism of the Greeks and others saying 'Oh no, the British Museum is not safe'. It's incredibly rare things go missing." The museum launched an internal investigation. It is understood a curator of Mediterranean cultures, Peter Higgs, 56, has been dismissed.