Rishi Sunak snubs Greek PM in dispute over Elgin Marbles

Access the Writer's Digest without charge

In this weekly newsletter, Roula Khalaf, the FT's editor, chooses her preferred stories.

Rishi Sunak has rejected his Greek counterpart's proposal regarding the Elgin Marbles, which could hinder diplomatic discussions surrounding the ancient sculptures. These negotiations have been planned with great care, and this development may cause some complications.

On Monday night, Downing Street informed Kyriakos Mitsotakis that the scheduled meeting between him and the UK Prime Minister at Number 10 on Tuesday will no longer push through. The Greek Prime Minister's office had announced the said meeting beforehand.

According to a high-ranking member of the Conservative party, the scheduled meeting was called off due to public discussion before the occasion. During a previous stop on his trip to London, Mitsotakis expressed the opinion to the BBC that displaying the frieze in London is comparable to exhibiting a divided Mona Lisa.

Mitsotakis, who has been vocal about wanting the complete frieze to be returned to Athens ever since he became the Prime Minister five years ago, expressed his disappointment about being ignored. Sunak had hinted that he might be interested in meeting with Oliver Dowden, the UK's second-ranking government official, instead.

On the platform X, the Greek leader shared his dissatisfaction regarding the British prime minister's decision to cancel our arranged meeting at the last minute.

Individuals who have confidence and trust in the accuracy and equity of their stances are never intimidated by differing opinions.

Athens and the British Museum are talking about some ideas, one of which might involve temporarily sending some of the sculptures to the Acropolis museum. This is just one plan being considered.

Sunak aims to position himself as a champion of the Parthenon Sculptures housed in the British Museum, and concurrently cast Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour Party's leader in opposition, as endorsing their surrender.

Last week, The Financial Times made it known that Starmer would not obstruct a potential deal if it was agreed upon by both parties in the event that he became the prime minister. This Monday, Starmer had a meeting with Mitsotakis and even uploaded a photo of them shaking hands on X.

A high-ranking representative from the Conservative party stated that the scheduled meeting between Sunak and Mitsotakis had to be cancelled due to remarks made about the Elgin Marbles prior to the event.

We firmly believe that the Elgin Marbles are an integral element of the British Museum's permanent collection and should remain here. We consider any British politician who proposes that this matter can be discussed as being irresponsible.

Greek authorities claim that the encounter the prime ministers had arranged didn't involve any journalists, eliminating any chance for queries concerning the Parthenon Marbles. The objective of the anticipated conversation was centered on migration concerns and not the controversial carvings.

According to Downing Street, there is no official confirmation of the meeting. Mitsotakis did not have a chance to meet with Sunak during his trip to London in the previous year.

A Greek authority declared that the dispute over the Parthenon Marbles' restitution was exclusively a matter between Athens and the British Museum. The official further stated that the meeting's cancellation was due to the United Kingdom's internal political situation.

Certain high-ranking members of the Conservative Party think that Sunak was ignored because he was upset that the Greek leader chose to meet with Starmer, who is widely seen as the most likely person to win the upcoming election in Britain.

Someone commented, "I'm sure Sunak was annoyed by the meeting between the Greek Prime Minister and Starmer. But he will have to get accustomed to it."

Sunak has already tried to label Starmer as a politically correct politician, and he is claiming that the Labour leader is behaving irresponsibly by contemplating a deal that would involve the Parthenon sculptures.

George Osborne, who used to be a chancellor for the Conservative party and currently serves as the chair of the British Museum, has been in talks with Mitsotakis regarding a novel agreement to lend some of the frieze to the Acropolis Museum in Athens.

As part of a deal, the museum located in the central area of London known as Bloomsbury would receive Greek treasures on loan. As time passes, different sections of the sculpture would be presented for exhibition in Greece.

In a recent article for the Spectator, Osborne expressed his desire to collaborate with Greece in order to have some of the Marbles divide their time between Athens and their current location. In exchange, he hopes that we will have the opportunity to view more of Greece's valuable artifacts.

The sculptures cannot be returned by the British Museum due to a law passed in 1963. The current government, led by Sunak, and the opposition led by Starmer, have both stated that they will not modify this law.

The supporters of the leader of the Labour party claim that he is willing to be adaptable. According to someone who is close to Starmer, "We will adhere to the current legislation, but if the British Museum and the Greek government can come to a loan agreement that satisfies both parties, we will not obstruct it."

During Monday's meeting, the Labour leader spoke to Mitsotakis about the matter at hand. However, one of Starmer's associates mentioned that it wasn't the main topic of discussion. This individual also noted that this is a matter that should be dealt with by the British Museum and Athens.

The spokesperson for the Labour party stated that if the British leader cannot have a meeting with a European partner that has significant economic connections with Britain, it is more proof that he lacks the competence to give the necessary leadership that our country needs.