UK law prevents the British Museum from permanently returning the sculptures to Greece. Talks are reportedly underway about a long-term loan, but the government has said it will not change the law to enable their permanent removal.
Greek government sources have claimed that the British prime minister is not opposed to a potential deal about the Elgin Marbles, following a meeting between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Sir Keir Starmer in London.
The two leaders met at Downing Street for about 40 minutes on Tuesday, with Mitsotakis reportedly raising the issue during their discussion.
While Starmer’s office had earlier stated that the sculptures were not on the agenda, reports suggest the British PM signalled he would not block a possible agreement between Athens and the British Museum.
The Elgin Marbles, also known as the Parthenon sculptures, remain a point of contention between Athens and London.
In November 2023, then-British PM Rishi Sunak cancelled a meeting with Mitsotakis, accusing him of stirring the issue to gain attention.
Starmer, then Labour leader, criticised Sunak’s move as “petty politics,” though Greek officials downplayed the incident.
Conservative criticism of Starmer
Following the recent meeting, Conservative shadow culture minister Saqib Bhatti criticised Starmer, suggesting he is prepared to return the sculptures.
“Sir Keir Starmer has already capitulated over the Chagos Islands, and now it appears he is set to cave into the radical left and return the Elgin Marbles to Greece,” Bhatti said in a statement.
According to a YouGov poll, 53% of British voters support returning the sculptures to Greece, while 24% oppose the move, and 23% are undecided.
The British Museum is legally barred from returning the artefacts permanently, but discussions are ongoing about a potential long-term loan arrangement.
A government spokesperson said that decisions on lending the Elgin Marbles “remain a matter for the British Museum” and confirmed that there are no plans to amend the law to allow their permanent return.
