Former Tory Chancellor and Chair of the British Museum told Ed Balls on the Political Currency podcast that there is “still some distance away” before an arrangement is reached for the temporary return of the Parthenon Marbles to Athens in 2025 as part of a deal.
His response came in light of comments from a former adviser to the Greek government that “negotiations have gone forward” and a deal was “close.”
“We are exploring whether we can arrange for some of the sculptures to be in Athens at some point, where they were originally located. In return, Greece would lend us some of its archaeological treasures,” Osborne notes in the interview.
Osborne underlined that although great progress had been made between the interested parties, which include the Greek government, the British Museum, and the British government, he acknowledged there remains “some distance” before any agreement can be finalized. Speaking from New York, he jokingly remarked that he would be in London if a deal with Greece were imminent.
The chairman pointed out the legal hurdles that might complicate a permanent return of the Parthenon Marbles, referencing a 1963 law that prohibits the museum from permanently removing items from its collection. “Even if we wanted to, which we don’t, we couldn’t just send them back,” he stated firmly.
He also remarked on the differing stances within the UK government on the matter. While Labour leader Keir Starmer has expressed that the issue is one for the British Museum’s independent management to decide, Osborne contrasted this with current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s refusal to meet with the Greek Prime Minister on the subject. Osborne called the Labour position a “much more reasonable and diplomatic approach.”
