UK Prime Minister rules out law change for return of Parthenon Marbles to Greece

·

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, said there are no plans to return the Parthenon Marbles to Greece, ARTnews has reported.

Speaking to reporters on his way to an AUKUS announcement with Australia’s Prime Minister and the US President, Sunak said he has no plans to amend a law which prohibits the British Museum from permanently returning the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.

“The UK has cared for the Elgin Marbles for generations. Our galleries and museums are funded by taxpayers because they are a huge asset to this country,” Sunak told reporters.

“We share their treasures with the world, and the world comes to the UK to see them. The collection of the British Museum is protected by law, and we have no plans to change it.”

Parthenon Marbles at the British Museum.

The Parthenon Marbles have been displayed in the British Museum since 1832 after being stripped from the Parthenon in Athens, Greece by Lord Elgin, a British diplomat.

Sunak’s comments were made despite a campaign for the return of the marble sculptures to Greece, as well as months of talks confirmed between the British Museum and the Acropolis Museum in Athens.

The Chair of the British Museum, George Osborne, said the institution has been working on a new arrangement with Greece through which the sculptures could be seen both in London and in Athens.

Source: ARTnews.

READ MORE: ‘Difficult but not impossible’: Greek Culture Minister on return of Parthenon Marbles.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Jake Wyllie steps up for George Kambosos Jr showdown as Daud Yordan withdraws

Ferocious’ George Kambosos Jr will now face a huge all-Australian clash against Jake Wyllie in his Sydney homecoming this Saturday.

Jessica Mauboy and husband Themeli Magriplis welcome first baby

Jessica Mauboy and her husband, Themeli Magriplis, have stepped into a new chapter, welcoming their first child, a baby girl named Mia.

Adelaide pastor Daniel Menelaou arrested in US over child abuse material allegations

Daniel Menelaou, a 28-year-old youth pastor from Adelaide, has been arrested in the US on charges related to child exploitation material.

Greece tops new Astons ranking of world’s most powerful passports

Greece has been ranked among the most powerful and accessible passports in the world, according to the latest analysis by Astons.

Hellenic Horizons: A sold-out celebration of Greek Australian women’s achievements

On Sunday, 16 March 2025, a sold-out crowd of 200 people gathered at The Grand Roxy in Brighton-Le-Sands for ‘Hellenic Horizons: Greek Women Leading...

You May Also Like

Early Byzantine church discovered in northern Evia

An early Byzantine basilica, dating back to the 6th century AD, was uncovered this past summer in Oreoi, Northern Evia.

John Barounis triumphs in Maryborough seat at Queensland state election

After serving three terms over nine years, Bruce Saunders has been defeated in his bid for re-election as the member for Maryborough.

Artefacts found in Lord Elgin’s sunken ship off the coast of Kythera

The Greek Ministry of Culture recently conducted their latest underwater investigation of the ‘Mentor’, one of the ships used by Lord Elgin.