Totem recall
The BBC home page teases: A sacred pole stolen by the British
. And the leader to Diane Selkirk's The Canadian museum filled with stolen art doubles down on the accusation.
In truth, as revealed by recent news of the pole's repatriation, and later by Selkirk herself, it was actually stolen by a Canadian anthropologist. Whether the National Museum of Scotland bought the pole in good faith after it was offered for sale, or whether it was stolen to order on their behalf is a matter of conjecture. All actors have long-since passed on.
But having it stolen wantonly by a Canadian would make for a more uncomfortable, and less provocative, leader for a Canadian writer. It would also add further embarrassment for Canada's fragile prime minister, who's not having a good time of things as it is. Besides, like Justin Trudeau, the BBC never misses an opportunity to [cough] right the wrongs
of its nation's past, whether or not they're imaginary or overstated.
So the British stole it; because, of course dear. (rolleyes)