Labour leader reportedly willing to support agreement allowing temporary return of sculptures to Athens

Reports suggest that Sir Keir Starmer would not oppose a potential loan arrangement involving the temporary return of the Elgin Marbles to Athens. The sculptures, removed from Greece by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century, have been a long-standing point of contention, with Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis advocating for their repatriation.

Mitsotakis is expected to address the issue in upcoming meetings with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer in London. According to the Financial Times, Starmer, whose Holborn & St Pancras constituency houses the British Museum, will reportedly express Labour’s willingness to support a mutually agreed loan deal between the museum and the Greek government, while maintaining the current legal framework. The 1963 British Museum Act restricts the permanent transfer of items from its collection.

British Museum chairman George Osborne has previously explored arrangements for displaying the Elgin Marbles in Greece under such a loan scheme. Prime Minister Sunak reaffirmed in March that there are no plans to alter the law governing the sculptures’ status.