The UK government said that it won’t be changing the law, under which the removal of artifacts from the British Museum is prohibited.
The prime minister of Greece has expressed his “displeasure” over the decision by Downing Street to cancel his meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in a row over the Elgin marbles.
Mr. Sunak was meant to meet with his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Tuesday, but the plans were cancelled “just hours before,” said the Greek prime minister.
Mr. Mitsotakis was offered a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden instead but refused the offer.
Speaking to Sky News, Transport Secretary Mark Harper rejected the assertion that the UK government snubbed the Greek prime minister and said it was “regrettable” that he didn’t meet with Mr. Dowden.
In what can incur diplomatic tensions between Greece and the UK, the decision to cancel the meeting follows comments by Mr. Mitsotakis over whether the Elgin Marbles, also known as the Parthenon Marbles, should be returned to Greece by Britain.
Marble friezes and statues that once adorned the pediments and pillars of the Parthenon are now on permanent display in the British Museum in…
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