Deal on Elgin Marbles ‘still some distance’ away, says George Osborne

George Osborne has said a deal to send the Elgin Marbles back to Athens is not close (House of Commons/PA Archive) - (PA Archive)

A deal which could see the Elgin Marbles returned to Greece is “still some distance” away, George Osborne has signalled.

The former Tory chancellor, now chairman of the British Museum, suggested Sir Keir Starmer had contributed to a warmer spirit of the negotiations over the famous ancient artworks.