Bring back Wolverhampton's Rock Form statue, MP tells bank
An MP has told bank bosses they have to return the 9ft Rock Form sculpture controversially removed from the shopping centre where it had stood for 46 years.
The Barbara Hepworth sculpture, thought to be worth between £1m and £4.1m was removed from the Mander Centre in the spring and thousands of people have been demanding its return.
Now Pat McFadden, MP for Wolverhampton South East, has called for its return.
The centre is owned by Delancey and Royal Bank of Scotland.
Mr McFadden said: "I've spoken with RBS and have impressed upon them the strength of feeling in Wolverhampton about this.
"It is essential that a sculpture given for the benefit of the people of the city continues to be on display to them.
"RBS said they understood that and they were working hard to reach a solution to this.
"The hope to announce something pretty soon.
"Nothing is certain but I'm hopeful we can reach a solution that will enable to statue to be on show for the people of Wolverhampton."
Paul Uppal, MP for neighbouring Wolverhampton South West, has also been campaigning for the return of the statue and has raised its whereabouts in the House of Commons.
Campaigners demanding the return of the statue are not satisfied with the statements of RBS so far, which has said it is 'looking at options which will allow the statue to continue to be enjoyed by the local community of Wolverhampton'.
Turner Prize-winning sculptor Sir Antony Gormley is also backing the campaign.
An open letter has been signed by Sir Antony as well as Sir Nicholas Mander, whose family the centre is named after, Dame Barbara Hepworth's granddaughter Dr Sophie Bowness, the Director of the Royal British Society of Sculptors and others, demanding clear confirmation from RBS and Delancey that the sculpture will be coming back to the Mander Centre 'as soon as possible'.