By James Tapsfield, Political Editor For Mailonline
Published: 29 July 2024
Labour has hinted at backing for the Elgin Marbles being sent on long-term loan to Greece as Keir Starmer woos the EU for closer ties.
Culture minister Chris Bryant has raised eyebrows by praising the British Museum's attempts to resolve international disputes - such as over the Parthenon sculptures.
The dispute has been running for centuries, with Rishi Sunak and his Greek counterpart clashing bitterly on the issue last year.
Tory former chancellor George Osborne has been trying to negotiate a deal in his role as chair of the British Museum's board of trustees.
That could involve the Marbles being sent to Greece for a decade - although it is unclear Athens will agree as it would mean tacitly accepting the Museum's legal ownership.
Labour has hinted the Elgin Marbles (one section pictured) could be sent on long-term loan to Greece as Keir Starmer woos the EU for closer ties
Ending the saga could boost Sir Keir's efforts to 'reset' relations with Europe, which he has made a priority for his premiership.
The fifth-century BC Parthenon sculptures were moved from Athens between 1801 to 1812 by the Earl of Elgin, when it was still part of the Ottoman Empire.
The peer, who was the British ambassador, planned to set up a private museum before transferring them to the British Museum.
Greece insists the artefacts were obtained illegally by Lord Elgin, but the UK is adamant that they were legally obtained by Lord Elgin with the permission of the Ottoman authorities.
A 1963 law prevents the British Museum from permanently disposing of key items from its collection, although it would not stop a loan deal.
In November last year, a diplomatic spat broke out between the UK and Greece with the Elgin Marbles at the centre.
Mr Sunak cancelled a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in London after he said Britain keeping the marbles was like 'cutting the Mona Lisa in half.'
The UK insisted that had broken a commitment from the Greeks not to use the visit for 'grandstanding' on the long-running spat.
In March 2023 Mr Sunak underlined his stance that such relics should stay in Britain.
'The UK has cared for the Elgin Marbles for generations,' he said. 'Our galleries and museums are funded by taxpayers because they are a huge asset to this country...
'We share their treasures with the world, and the world comes to the UK to see them.'
Answering a Parliamentary Question from Lib Dem MP Andrew George last week, Mr Bryant said: 'Decisions relating to the care and management of the museum's collections, including loaning objects from their collection, are a matter for the Trustees of the British Museum, in accordance with the British Museum Act 1963. The British Museum is operationally independent of the Government.
'We are aware that the Chair of the Trustees, George Osborne, has had talks with Greek Ministers on the issue, seeking a constructive partnership.
'We value the work that the British Museum does internationally, and welcome the success of their partnerships, such as the recent collaboration between the British Museum, the V&A, and the Manhyia Palace Museum in Ghana.
'With regards to the legal title for the Parthenon Sculptures, the removal of the sculptures was lawful and well-documented. They were transferred to the British Museum in 1816 and have been the legal property of the British Museum, not the UK Government, since then.'
Greek Prime Minister Kiriakos Mitsotakis, who was embroiled in a spat with Mr Sunak about the Marbles
In recent years, a number of items have been returned to their country of origins on loan agreements. This includes an agreement reached in January this year to loan a collection of gold items, referred to as Ghana's 'crown jewels', back to Ghana.
The agreement to return artefacts, known as the Asante gold, is part of a three-year loan agreement with the option to extend for a further three years.
A similar agreement is reportedly being negotiated with Greece which could see the Elgin Marbles returned to Greece as a part of an exchange for other artefacts from Greece to 'fill the void' Greece's culture minister Lina Mendoni said.
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