Keir Starmer set to hand Greece the Elgin Marbles in latest move to schmooze EU
The Government has softened the official stance against loaning the British Museum's prize hoard to Greece.
Elgin Marbles: Osborne on 'deal to be done' with Greece
Sir Keir Starmer has softened Britain’s stance on ownership of the Elgin Marbles, as he moves to cosy up to EU partners and reset the UK’s continental relationship.
Answering a written Commons question last Friday, newly-appointed culture minister Chris Bryant struck a new tone on the contentious question, deferring the decision about whether to lone the statues to the British Museum.
Responding to a Lib Dem MP, Mr Bryant praised the museum chairman George Osborne, who has sought a “constructive partnership” with Greece on the issue.
He added: “Decisions relating to the care and management of the museum's collections, including loaning objects from their collection, are a matter for the Trustees of the British Museum, in accordance with the British Museum Act 1963. The British Museum is operationally independent of the Government.
“We are aware that the Chair of the Trustees, George Osborne, has had talks with Greek Ministers on the issue, seeking a constructive partnership."
He continued: “We value the work that the British Museum does internationally, and welcome the success of their partnerships, such as the recent collaboration between the British Museum, the V&A, and the Manhyia Palace Museum in Ghana.”
Mr Bryant did, however, set out that the sculptures were acquired “lawfully” from Greece, and remain the legal property of the British Museum.
Former chancellor George Osborne has been lobbying the Government for years to agree a loans deal with Greece, and said there is a “deal to be done”.
Referring the decision to him, therefore, marks a stark change in policy from the previous Conservative Government.
In November last year, Rishi Sunak sparked a diplomatic row with the Mediterranean nation after Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis planned on repeating his request for the UK to loan the Parthenon statues.
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Upon discovering that Mr Mitsotakis planned on using an interview with Laura Kuenessberg to repeat the request, Mr Sunak scrapped a pending meeting with him the next day at late notice.
Mr Sunak’s spokesman insisted that the Greek PM had broken “assurances” that he wouldn’t “use the visit as a public platform” to raise the “long settled matter”.
He added that given the deal was “not adhered to, the PM felt it would not be productive to hold a meeting”.
However a Greek government source denied making any such assurances.
The Government’s softening on the Elgin Marbles comes as Sir Keir discussed reintroducing free movement in talk with Spain’s PM last week, all part of a mission to reset the UK’s relationship with the EU.
Pedro Sanchez urged the Prime Minister to consider a deal allowing young people to move to the UK when they held private talks ten days ago.
Sir Keir rejected calls for changes in the run up to the general election but is said to have told his Spanish counterpart he would consider it.
Leading Leavers accused the Remainer PM of starting the great Brexit betrayal but said it was no surprise.
In January this year, the British Museum and the V&A signed a three-year loan agreement for the temporary return of more than 30 objects to Ghana.
Former MP Tristram Hunt, the director of the V&A, said: “150 years after the attack on Kumasi and looting of court regalia, the V&A is proud to be partnering with the Manhiya Palace Museum to display this important collection of Asante gold work”.
He said the museum was committed to “sharing our collections with a colonial past”.
