“The sculptures remained in the dirty and damp shed in the grounds
of the Park Lane house for years, decaying in London’s humid climate”

The British attempt to clean the Marbles did an untold amount of damage when without official authorization they used copper tools to remove what they thought was dirt but was in fact the honey-coloured historical patina which can never ever be replaced.
There was further controversy in 1983 when The British Museum was accused of applying what they claimed was a protective coating and was in fact a film of plastic.

This despicable act of sheer vandalism pales into insignificance as there is now a new home for their
RETURN TO THE PLACE WHERE THEY WERE BORN
AND WHERE THEY HAVE THEIR ROOTS.

First of all they are NOT the Elgin Marbles …
They are the PARTHENON MARBLES

Secondly, surely the British Museum is in a way guilty of handling stolen property
which is “Contrary to Section 22 of the Theft Act 1968”

‘Stolen goods’ means goods which have been stolen or obtained by deception.

The offence of handling stolen goods is a single offence.
However, there are two limbs to the offence: –

Dishonestly receiving stolen goods
Dishonestly undertaking or assisting in the retention, removal, disposal or realisation of stolen goods by or for the benefit of another person, or arranging to do so.
A person guilty of handling stolen goods shall on conviction on indictment be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years.