Greek PM greeted in No10 for first time since Rishi Sunak’s Elgin Marbles ‘hissy match’

Keir Starmer met with the Greek leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis today amid a long-running row with the UK over the return of the Elgin Marbles.

The ancient marbles – also known as the Parthenon Sculptures – have been displayed at the British Museum for over 200 years.

But Greece has demanded for decades that they are returned to Athens after they were removed by British diplomat Lord Elgin in the 19th century.

The PM’s official spokesman refused to be drawn on whether Mr Starmer had discussed the matter with Mr Mitsotakis in No10 on Tuesday. Instead, they insisted any possible loan of the 2,500-year-old marbles to Athens would be “decisions [that] are entirely for the British Museum”.

It came as one former adviser to the Greek government suggested to the BBC a deal was “close” – but was unsure if it was “close enough”. Prof Irene Stamatoudi said the return of the sculptures is something “all Greeks are passionate about” as they are considered part of the country’s “cultural heritage”.

Last year ex-PM Rishi Sunak abruptly cancelled a meeting with Mr Mitsotakis after the Greek PM publicly called for the priceless artefacts to be handed back. At the time the former Tory leader denied having thrown a “hissy fit” over the matter.

After the first official visit of the Greek leader to the UK since the diplomatic row, No10 said Mr Starmer and Mr Mitsotakis had discussed the war in Ukraine and the Middle East.

The spokesman added: “The Government’s position is that we have no plans to change the law that would permit a permanent move and that the case of decisions relating to the care and management and sculptures are a matter for the trustees of the British Museum, which is operationally independent of the Government.”

On Tuesday the Home Office minister also Jess Phillips appeared bemused when asked about the long-running row on Sky News. She said: “It seems like two friendly nations could probably get over this particular issue and I have to say it’s very rarely raised with me on the doorstep what is going to happen to the Elgin Marbles.”