Just 350 of 2,000 objects stolen from British Museum have so far been recovered as chair George Osborne offers apology to MPs over 'inside job' - and he defends plan to strike deal with Greece over re

Just 350 of 2,000 objects stolen from the British Museum as part of an 'inside job' have so far been recovered, MPs heard today. Mr Osborne also told MPs how the British public 'aren't wedded' to the Elgin Marbles remaining in the UK permanently, as he defended recent talks with the Greek government in his bid to strike a deal over the disputed sculptures. George Osborne, the chairman of the British Museum's board of trustees, reiterated a public apology this morning over the loss of 2,000 historic items The museum revealed on August 16 that the items – including gold jewellery, semi-precious stones and glass – were missing, stolen or damaged The museum has set a target of completing the online record of every object in its collection over the next five years Sir Mark Jones, the museum's interim director, confirmed some 350 of the missing items are in the process of being returned, with an estimated 2,000 having been stolen Appearing before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Mr Osborne set out the action that had been taken in the wake of the discovery of the missing artefacts. Sir Mark Jones, the museum's interim director who also appeared before the committee, confirmed some 350 of the missing items are in the process of being returned, with an estimated 2,000 having been stolen.