George Osborne, chairman of the British Museum, confirmed it is looking at a deal that would see some of the sculptures returned to Athens in exchange for Greek treasures being displayed in London

Sir Keir Starmer is more likely than Rishi Sunak to agree to return the Elgin Marbles to Greece, George Osborne has suggested. The chairman of the British Museum said that the institution was “still some distance” from an agreement with the Greek government on the historic sculptures,

Downing Street says it won’t change the law to permit “permanent” move of ancient sculptures from the British Museum.

Sir Keir Starmer ruled out discussing a return of the Elgin Marbles to Greece in his meeting with his Greek counterpart on Tuesday despite claims from Athens that progress had been made on the issue.

Keir Starmer is thought to be more open to the idea of returning the Elgin Marbles than predecessor Rishi Sunak

The return of the Elgin Marbles is understood to have been discussed in “private meetings” between the Greek Prime Minister and the British Museum. Foreign minister Giorgos Gerapetritis was also said to have attended,