Secret discussions have taken place between George Osborne, the chair of the British Museum, and Greece's prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis over the contested sculptures.

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,

The issue of the Parthenon Marbles is expected to be raised by Mitsotakis when he meets his UK counterpart Sir Keir Starmer in London.

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

The row could be raised by the Greek prime minister when he meets Sir Keir Starmer on Tuesday.

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.