Rishi Sunak has accused the Greek prime minister of “grandstanding” over the deepening row surrounding the Elgin Marbles.
During a fiery clash with Sir Keir Starmer at PMQS, Mr Sunak said he cancelled a meeting with Kyriakos Mitsotakis because it was “clear” the purpose of it “was not to discuss substantive issues for the future, but rather to grandstand and relitigate issues of the past”.
He repeated his claim that Mr Mitsotakis broke “assurances” not to lobby for the return of the ancient Greek artefacts, on display and owned by the British Museum, while on his visit to the UK. Athens say no such assurances were given.
Sir Keir accused the prime minister of “losing his marbles” and said he managed to have a constructive meeting with Mr Mitsotakis while stating Labour’s position on the sculptures.
“I discussed with the Greek Prime Minister the economy, security, immigration. I also told him we wouldn’t change the law regarding the marbles. It’s not that difficult.
“The reality is simple. He has no plan for boat crossings and migration is at a record high.”
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Elgin Marbles: What are they and how did they end up in the British Museum?
Mr Sunak responded that “no one will be surprised that he’s backing an EU country over Britain” – comments Sir Keir said amounted to him arguing “that meeting the prime minister of Greece is somehow supporting the EU instead of discussing serious issues“.
Following the exchange, a former cabinet minister told Sky’s political editor Beth Rigby that Mr Sunak has “created a full diplomatic breakdown” and the Greek government are “furious”.
Downing Street denied Mr Sunak was insulting the leader of a Nato ally, repeating that “assurances” the UK had sought were “not adhered to”.
However the Greek labour minister, Adonis Georgiades, has told Sky News “this kind of agreement cannot ever happen with any Greek prime minister – and certainly with Kyriakos Mitsotakis”.
Athens has long demanded the return of the historic works, also known as the Parthenon Sculptures. They were removed from Greece by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century when he was the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire.
On Sunday, two days before the scheduled meeting with Mr Sunak, Mr Mitsotakis told the BBC he planned to raise the issue and compared the situation to the Mona Lisa painting being cut in half (as some sculptures remain in Greece).
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