Rishi Sunak denies having a 'fit' over Elgin Marbles

Rishi Sunak told reporters that “by law the marbles cannot be returned.” Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP

Rishi Sunak denies he had a «fit of rage» over the Elgin Marbles as he rebuked George Osborne amid the ongoing row with Greece.

Mr. Sunak canceled a meeting with Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Greek prime minister, earlier this week. after Mr Mitsotakis publicly called on the UK to change its position.

Although Greece has called for the Elgin Marbles to be returned to the country, the government insists the artefacts are part of the British Museum's permanent collection and are not subject to negotiations.< /p>

Mr Osborne, the chairman of the British Museum and the former Tory chancellor, suggested on Thursday that Mr Sunak may have had a «little fit of irritation» when he decided not to meet Mr Mitsotakis, noting that the prime minister Greece had met Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labor Party, the previous day.

He also opposed the ministers' position, confirming that he would continue to consider a potential «swap deal» with Athens.

«Marbles are not are subject to return.»

But he was asked if he had a “fit of irritation.” and asked whether he would block such a pact, Mr Sunak told reporters: “No, no. I think I said everything I needed to say about this in Parliament the other day, and now I'm focused on getting people to understand what they care about.

“When it comes to them, our position is very clear. Marbles cannot be returned by law and we make this clear. And I think the British Museum website itself says that in order to receive a loan, the recipient must recognize legal ownership of the country that is lending the items.

“And I think the Greeks didn't offer this. they are ready to do it in any way or form. Our opinion and our position on this matter is crystal clear: the marbles were acquired legally at that time.”

The sculptures were taken from Greece by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century, when he served as the British Ambassador. to the Ottoman Empire.

On Wednesday, Mr Sunak used his weekly question time in the House of Commons to launch a rare public attack on a diplomatic ally, accusing the Greek prime minister of “grandstanding”, adding that he became clear that the negotiations would not involve «substantial» issues.

Sir Keir reportedly told Mr Mitsotakis at the meeting that he would be open to a loan agreement relating to the Parthenon sculptures if a “mutually acceptable deal” could be concluded. get there using the museum.