Further calls for return of Lindisfarne Gospels
The Prime Minister yesterday voiced his support for the people of the North-East to have the widest possible opportunity to view the Lindisfarne Gospels in their homeland. Speaking in response to a question from Sharon Hodgson MP at Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons Tony Blair said;
“Well, as I am sure my Honourable friend is aware, it is obviously a matter for the British Library Board to decide where the Gospels are located. But I certainly share my Honourable friend’s desire to see them widely available in the North-East.
I know she has met recently the minister concerned in order to discuss it and I am perfectly happy to give her any support I can in making sure that as many people in the North-East get access to what is obviously a huge cultural icon for people there.”
Sharon Hodgson is the Labour MP for Gateshead East and has added her voice to the campaign to have the Gospels returned to the North-East, even if only for a short period. This blog author has already written to MP’s in a bid to have the Gospels temporarily displayed at St. Paul’s Jarrow, the home of the Venerable Bede who is attributed as being influential in the production of the lavishly illuminated manuscript.
It would be nice to think that the British LIbrary might listen to the concerns of the outgoing Prime Minister, however, being stubbornly jealous of their possessions they may just regard him as that - on his way out (which will not help the campaign at all.)
