UK Asserts Parthenon Sculptures Off the Table During Greek PM’s Visit

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is set to arrive in London on Tuesday amid reports suggesting that members of his administration have engaged in “private meetings” with senior officials at the British Museum, according to Sky News. These discussions are believed to involve a possible loan agreement for the long-disputed Parthenon Marbles, also known as the Elgin Marbles.

Any modification to the marbles’ current status, which sparked a heated debate last year between Greece and the then-Conservative British government, would require action from the U.K. government. The British Museum Act of 1963 currently prohibits the permanent removal of objects from the museum’s collection.

Last year’s dispute saw Keir Starmer, then leader of the opposition and now the U.K. prime minister, make waves by meeting Mitsotakis after Rishi Sunak, the Tory leader and then-prime minister, canceled their planned discussion amid tensions surrounding the marbles. Starmer’s meeting appeared to underscore his willingness to engage with Greece on the controversial issue.

However, a British government spokesperson reiterated on Monday: “We have no plans to change existing government policy on restitution. Further decisions related to the care and management of a museum’s collections, including loaning objects, are matters for the Trustees of the museum.”

In advance of Mitsotakis’ arrival, Downing Street clarified that the Parthenon Marbles would not feature in the agenda of Starmer’s meeting with the Greek leader on Tuesday. Instead, the discussion will focus on other pressing global matters, including ongoing support for Ukraine and efforts toward a ceasefire in Gaza, according to No. 10.