Tory MPs have accused Chancellor Rishi Sunak of using the Elgin Marbles controversy as a distraction from pressing issues such as the record number of migrant crossings and the stalled Rwanda deportation scheme. While senior Conservatives argue that the ancient sculptures should remain in Britain, they claim that the diplomatic row is a "dead cat" tactic to divert attention away from more serious matters.
Rishi Sunak Cancels Meeting with Greek PM
Last night, Rishi Sunak sparked a war of words with Greece when he cancelled a scheduled meeting with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The Greek PM had intended to request the return of the Elgin Marbles. Transport Secretary Mark Harper defended the cancellation, stating that Sunak had been offered a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister instead.
Outrage over Alleged Distraction Strategy
Tory MPs expressed outrage at the Prime Minister's decision to focus on the Elgin Marbles dispute instead of addressing issues such as soaring net migration, which has reached 740,000, and the legal complications surrounding the Rwanda deportation scheme. Critics argue that this tactic is a deliberate attempt to divert attention from pressing concerns.
British Museum Under Pressure
No.10 is reportedly pressuring British Museum Chief George Osborne not to agree to a "loans deal" with Greece. Government officials are exploring legal avenues to block any export of the ancient sculptures. Such a deal would involve temporarily moving the Marbles to Greece for display. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has indicated that his party would be open to a loan arrangement, while shadow ministers have criticized the PM for refusing to even discuss the matter.
"To pick a fight with a NATO ally for the sake of a headline shows just how weak Rishi Sunak is," a Labour spokesman commented.
