Loaners, keepers! Labour is Ghanaian king's best hope for permanent return of ... trends now
A Ghanaian king has revealed his plans to take back 'looted' golden treasures - with a new Labour government tipped to let even more artefacts leave the UK.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who rules the Asante people in the west African country, negotiated a deal for the temporary return of ancestral artefacts from the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Now he hopes to keep hold of the Asante gold for good despite the current Conservative government refusing to change laws which ban museums from repatriating such items overseas permanently.
Sir Keir Starmer's Labour party has been mooted as most likely to give the go-ahead - with experts saying this loan was 'just the beginning' for similar repatriations.
Former Labour MP Tristram Hunt has called for overhauls of the British Museum Act 1963 and the National Heritage Act 1983 which currently bar the two museums from permanently returning items to countries where they originated.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Ghana's Asante king, is said to be keen to permanently keep the Asante gold artefacts handed over by Britain on loan at a ceremony and exhibition last Wednesday
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer's party has not ruled out a change in the laws which could make the repatriation of British-held artefacts possible and permanent
This cast gold ornament is among the collection loaned back by the UK to Ghana
This was among the ceremonial caps worn by courtiers at Asante royal coronations
Bosses from both venues took part in a ceremony in the Asante capital Kumasi last Wednesday to mark the handover of royal regalia which had been seized by British troops in the 19th century.
A three-year loan deal has been agreed - but key figures on both sides are keen for this to be extended indefinitely.
Oheneba Owusu Afriyie IV, a prince and member of the Asante inner court, told the Telegraph: 'We are hoping that after the two three-year terms, things would have evolved, and your laws back home might have changed.
'We are very hopeful. Things are evolving to eventually getting them back home.'
The 1963 act prevents the British Museum from giving away anything from its collection - including the Elgin Marbles which Greece wants back - and the 1983 equivalent does the same for the V&A.
The 32 pieces of Asante Gold, named after the African empire from which they were taken, were handed over last week on the three-year agreement which could be extended for another three.
Some 17 of them are from the V&A with the other 15 from the British Museum, with the items going on display at the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi.
The objects include a sword of state, gold badges worn by officials, ceremonial caps and pipes.
Writer and academic Ivor Agyeman-Duah, also director of the Manhyia Palace Museum, said a permanent return was 'how it has been envisaged'.
Ghana's Asante king Otumfuo Osei Tutu II (left) looks on during a ceremony last Wednesday to mark the return of artefacts from the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum
A total of 32 Asante gold items are being loaned to the current king for three years, including this Asante gold torc (left) and ring (right)
An Asante gold model harp given to the British Museum has also been handed over
A sword of state taken from the royal court following conflicts between the British Empire and the Asante
