The British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles (BCRPM) has employed Nelson Mandela's lawyer during the apartheid era to push ahead with the campaign to return the antiquities to Greece.

Greek-born George Bizos, who went to South Africa as a child refugee, approached the BCRPM last year with an offer to contribute as a pro bono mediator. He will start early next year.

Eleni Cubitt, honorary secretary of the BCRPM, said: "Bizos will help to persuade the British Museum to discuss with the Greek government what it can do [to help the campaign to return the Parthenon Marbles]."

Chairman Anthony Snodgrass said: "We hope he will be able to talk to ministers in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and, possibly, to the British Museum trustees."

[Museums Journal - November 2007]

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