Rishi Sunak has accused the Greek prime minister of “grandstanding” over the deepening row surrounding the Elgin Marbles.
During a fiery clash with Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs, Mr Sunak said he cancelled a meeting with Kyriakos Mitsotakis because it was “clear” the purpose of it “was not to discuss substantive issues for the future, but rather to grandstand and relitigate issues of the past”.
He repeated his claim that Mr Mitsotakis broke “assurances” not to lobby for the return of the ancient Greek artefacts, on display and owned by the British Museum, while on his visit to the UK. Athens say no such assurances were given.
Read more: What are the Elgin Marbles and how did they end up in the British Museum?
Sir Keir accused the prime minister of “losing his marbles” and said he managed to have a constructive meeting with the Greek prime minister while stating Labour’s position on the sculptures.
“I discussed with the Greek Prime Minister the economy, security, immigration. I also told him we wouldn’t change the law regarding the marbles. It’s not that difficult,” he said.
Mr Sunak responded that “no one will be surprised that he’s backing an EU country over Britain” – comments Sir Keir said amounted to him arguing “that meeting the prime minister of Greece is somehow supporting the EU instead of discussing serious issues“.
Sir Keir claimed Mr Sunak was arguing over a relic “of little interest to the public” to conceal his failure on immigration – after figures last week revealed net migration had reached an all time high.
The Labour leader blamed this on the government’s “absurd” policy that those from overseas receive lower wages for the same jobs – something he has vowed to scrap if he wins the next election.
“Under this government, a bricklayer from overseas can be paid £2,500 less than somebody who is already here. A plasterer, £3,000 less. An engineer, £6,000 less. The list goes on, it’s absurd.”
Pointing to the pressure Mr Sunak is coming under from his own MPs to crack down on the issue, he claimed the Tories were in “open revolt” and said the prime minister “seems to be the only person on the Tory benches without his own personal immigration plan”.
He said as well as immigration, NHS waiting lists and the tax burden is rising too.
In a thinly veiled reference to derogatory language used by James Cleverly he said: “It is ironic that he’s suddenly taken such a keen interest in Greek culture. But he’s clearly become the man with the reverse Midas touch.
“Everything he touches turns to… maybe the Home Secretary can help me out with this? …Rubbish.”
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James Cleverly reacts to Starmer dig
Greek government ‘furious’
Mr Sunak’s comments about the Greek PM come just hours after Environment Secretary Steve Barclay sought to play down the row, insisting the UK and Greece had “good relations”.
Following the exchange, a former cabinet minister told Sky’s political editor Beth Rigby that Mr Sunak has “created a full diplomatic breakdown” and the Greek government are “furious”.
Downing Street denied Mr Sunak was insulting the leader of a NATO ally, repeating that “assurances” the UK had sought were “not adhered to”.
However the Greek labour minister, Adonis Georgiades, has told Sky News “this kind of agreement cannot ever happen with any Greek prime minister – and certainly with Kyriakos Mitsotakis”.
Athens has long demanded the return of the historic works, also known as the Parthenon Sculptures. They were removed from Greece by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century when he was the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire.
On Sunday, two days before the scheduled meeting with Mr Sunak, Mr Mitsotakis told the BBC he planned to raise the issue during talks and compared the situation to the Mona Lisa painting being cut in half (as some sculptures remain in Greece).
Greek sources said they were “baffled” the meeting was cancelled the next day given migration was high on the agenda.
