Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said there are "no plans" to change a law that stops the Elgin Marbles from being returned to Greece. The 1963 British Museum Act prevents the organisation from giving away items in its collection, except in limited circumstances.
Mr Sunak said that the UK had "cared for" the sculptures in the British Museum for decades. He added that they were "shared with the world" in the London Museum.
But Greece has long called for the Parthenon Sculptures to be returned to Athens. They were originally removed from Greece by Lord Elgin in the early 1800s, while he was the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire.
“The UK has cared for the Elgin Marbles for generations," the Prime Minister said. “Our galleries and museums are funded by taxpayers because they are a huge asset to this country.
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“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.”
However, former Chancellor of the Exchequer and British Museum chairman George Osborne said he is looking at ways for the Elgin Marbles to be displayed in Greece. The Government has said that long-term loans would not be in the spirit of its position.
