Rishi Sunak rules out returning Elgin Marbles in latest blow to Greece's long dispute

Rishi Sunak has ruled out changing the law to return the Elgin Marbles to Greece permanently.

The sculptures, taken from the Parthenon temple in Athens in the 19th Century by British diplomat Lord Elgin, have been the subject of a bitter ownership dispute with Greece for decades.

British Museum chairman George Osborne has reportedly been working to hammer out a deal with the Greek Authorities to allow the cultural treasures to be viewed in both Britain and Greece.

It is up to the British Museum to decide what it does with its artefacts - but the law prevents it from selling its treasures except in limited circumstances.

Rishi Sunak said he had "no plan to change" the laws protecting Britain's ownership of treasures such as the Elgin Marbles (AP)

Even a long term loan of the Marbles to Greece is understood to be unacceptable to the UK Government.

The Prime Minister said: "The UK has cared for the Elgin Marbles for generations.

“Our galleries and museums are funded by taxpayers because they are a huge asset to this country.

“We share their treasures with the world, and the world comes to the UK to see them.

“The collection of the British Museum is protected by law, and we have no plans to change it."