Parthenon sculptures deal ‘some distance away’ says Osborne

The chair of the British Museum has said a deal to return the Parthenon sculptures to Greece is “still some distance” away.

The former Tory chancellor, George Osborne, was responding to comments this week from a former adviser to the Greek government, who said “negotiations have gone forward”.

The former adviser Professor Irene Stamatoudi told the BBC that a deal to return the Parthenon sculptures – also referred to as the Elgin Marbles – was “close”.

Osborne made his comments on the Political Currency podcast, which he hosts with the former Labour politician Ed Balls.

He said during the podcast that “we made a lot of progress on that, but we’re still some distance from any kind of agreement”.

Osborne suggested Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had helped create a warmer tone for negotiations and that the museum was looking at the possibility of a long-term loan.

The British Museum is forbidden by law from giving away any of its collection.

The government has no plans to change the law, but Downing Street has indicated that it is unlikely to stand in the way of a loan deal.