Sadiq Khan says Elgin Marbles should be ‘shared’ with Greece

Mr Khan’s opponent in next month’s election says he is using the debate over the Marbles to deflect from discussing his record – HOLLIE ADAMS/REUTERS

Sadiq Khan has suggested it would be “lovely” if people did not have to come to London to view the Elgin Marbles.

In an interview with a Greek newspaper, the Mayor of London argued that the British Museum’s flagship treasures should be “shared” with Greece.

He also praised George Osborne, the former Tory chancellor, who chairs the museum, for his “will” to reach an agreement.

The intervention, less than two weeks before the mayoral election, was criticised by Conservative sources who accused Mr Khan of trying to distract from his record on crime and transport.

The ongoing dispute between Greece and Britain over the marbles’ ownership reached a bitter low last November when Rishi Sunak cancelled talks with his Greek counterpart at the last minute.

Speaking to the daily newspaper Ta Nea, Mr Khan said: “I love the fact that Greeks come here to see these pieces of art, marbles, history. But wouldn’t it be lovely if people didn’t have to come to London to see them?”

“People could see them in their own environment.”

The two-term Labour mayor added: “I think it can’t be beyond the wit of man to come up with a deal where these really precious, priceless Elgin Marbles can be shared.”

Marbles exception

The marbles are subject to the 1963 British Museum Act, which prohibits the museum from disposing of its collection, except in a small number of exceptions.

However, Mr Khan said: “The Government’s got to recognise that it’s now 2024.”

“I think the British Museum, the British Government and the Greek government surely must be able to come up with a deal. Those three parties are run by sensible people by and large when it comes to sensible things, and they should be able to agree on a deal.”

He expressed hope that a Labour government led by Sir Keir Starmer would resolve the dispute and criticised the current Government of being “scared of its Right-wing backbenchers”.

He pointed to the example of the Horniman Museum in south London, which has returned some of its exhibits to Russia.

He also said of Mr Osborne’s apparent sympathy for the idea of a deal: “I think it’s quite clear that George Osborne … there’s will in there.”

A source close to Susan Hall, the Conservative candidate for mayor, said: “Sadiq Khan will say or do just about anything to distract from his failure to tackle crime and the fact his pay-per-mile plans have been exposed.

“The Elgin Marbles are a beautiful collection, but Sadiq Khan wants to bring in a new tax to charge anyone coming to see them for every mile they drive in our great city.

“Londoners need a mayor who listens and focuses on reducing crime, scrapping the ULEZ expansion and stopping Sadiq Khan’s pay-per-mile plans – and that’s just what they’ll get with Susan Hall.”

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