The Berwick Liberal Democrat, whose constituency includes Holy Island, has been supported by other MPs over bringing the priceless cultural treasure back to its native home.

And he has sponsored an Early Day motion in the House of Commons following press reports about the British Library withholding information and putting forward "spurious arguments for not allowing the Gospels to be returned to the North East".

Mr Beith said: "I am disappointed that a respected institution like the British Library has been obstructive and has withheld information which could strengthen the case for the Gospels to be returned.

"I hope the British Library will look again at the calls which have been made for the return of the Lindisfarne Gospels to the North East and will give this matter its serious attention."

The Gospels is an illuminated Latin manuscript of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and was created on Lindisfarne during the late 7th century or early 8th century.

It is generally regarded as the finest example of the kingdom's unique style of religious art, combining Anglo-Saxon and Celtic themes.

It is thought that a monk named Eadfrith, who became Bishop of Lindisfarne in 698 and died in 721, penned the pages in honour of St Cuthbert.

Despite surviving Viking raids, the manuscript was seized by Henry VIII when he dissolved the monasteries, and it has resided at the British Museum since the 18th century.