Keir Starmer’s ally hints UK will hand Greece Elgin Marbles as she attacks ‘theft’

A former member of Sir shadow cabinet has said that the Prime Minister “wants a solution” to the long-standing dispute over the Parthenon Marble, better known as the Elgin Marbles.

Thangam Debbonaire, who lost her seat at the General Election to the Green Party, revealed in an interview with a news outlet that the Labour leader is keen to put the argument to bed, as he sees Britain and Greece as “allies”.

Ms Debbonaire branded the claiming of the marbles from then Ottoman-ruled Athens in the early 1800s as an act of “theft”.

She told Ta Nea: “The way the Parthenon sculptures came to this country was, at best, unacceptable. I think we all know it was theft.

“If you stand in front of any of them in the British Museum, you are struck by what’s missing.”

Discussing the PM’s outlook on the issue, Ms Debbonaire said: “Keir wants a solution. He wants a solution because we’re allies. Greece is the home of democracy. We are great celebrators of democracy in the Labour Party.

“This is a unique moment in history. The British Museum, with the new government, is in a really historic position to be able to tell a new story for these sculptures.

“I think we’re all going to be better off when a way is found for them to be viewed in whole and in Athens, which is such a historic setting.”

She added: “I also know, and it’s a matter of public record, that the British Museum has moved a long way towards [plans for return].

“[I’ve] talked to Nick Cullinan, the Museum’s new director, about what his plans are for the British Museum. I am confident that I will see it in my lifetime. I’d like it to be quite soon.”

Last year, then-Prime Minister caused a stir after cancelling a meeting with the Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis over the matter.

At the time, the Labour leader accused Mr Sunak of trying to “humiliate” his Greek counterpart. The Tory leader eventually had a meeting with Mr Mitsotakis later that month.